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Okay, I'm looking for any genuine support I can get from this forum with regards to my dream and goal of becoming a child psychiatrist.
Briefly and to the basic point, I suffered greatly from age 12 years to age 26 with hard to diagnose and treat bipolar type 2 disorder (no full-blown manias, hypomanias, greatly exacerbated by antidepressants, no psychosis ever, mainly severe depressions, some rapid cycling), and I would say that is partly the genesis of my desire to become a child psychiatrist. I met children/adolescents traumatized beyond belief in my travels and I have a deep heartfelt empathy for them. I have a natural gift in working with children also and a deep interest in neuroscience and psychology. Child psychiatrists are in huge demand. I wish to help ease to the shortage and fulfill a great societal need. I would say my goal has part selfish motivations--wishing to master the trauma I experienced psychologically as a child by helping these children. I am working through these issues now in psychotherapy.
My mental health condition has been very stable for 4 years and I have had no significant episodes of hypomania or depression. I manage this illness with medications I know I will be on for a lifetime, psychotherapy, which is mainly a check-in for me, exercise, meditation, positive thinking, and a good routine/structure. I feel I can use this same routine while in medical school and for the rest of my life. Though I might have to modify my routines a bit to deal with the rigors of medical school and residency. I am determined to make it to an M.D. program in the United States. My odds might be slim though given my history with mental illness, I fear. The stigma is great.
My educational history has been very scattered. I have probably racked up over 20 W's due to the effects of my illness. I did have some F grades which I have successfully petitioned to be taken off of my record. I may be able to get some of those W's taken off as well. I went to a community college for years and built up quite a marriage with some professors and a few Deans. Many people have been very sympathetic, knowing I have always been an excellent student and kind and good-hearted to others. So, I have some help there. I finished my A.A. in psychology eventually with 3.91. Two B's due to illness also. The professors were forgiving.
I know this is going to be a steep uphill battle. My circuitous plan is to greatly prove myself over the next 8 years. I am 30 now and plan to apply around 38. Doctorhood will be my second career. I am going into nursing first, hoping to score a job in peds or psych. My desire to going into nursing first is to prove myself in a demanding career and honestly, I really need a good source of income as I am barely making it.
I am also engaged to be married in the following year and wish to have 2 children over the coming years. I feel a good family life will prove stability also to my ADCOMS. I plan to do an Associates program in nursing and also take the medical school pre-reqs while in nursing school. While the med school pre-reqs will be at a community college, this community college has an excellent reputation. They do have pre-medical advising as well. I will be following up at a pretty well-known four year school with a major in biology, so I will have upper level classes. My goal for the rest of my undergrad is nothing less than 4.0 GPA. I will also be majoring in English as I have a passion for literature and creative writing. My goal for the MCATs is high with 97th percentile or above. My IQ is in the gifted range, so hopefully with much preparation, it is doable.
So, I plan to have excellent stats to offset my scattered and tormented educational path prior. You may think it highly unlikely, but I am very determined and dedicated towards these kids in child psychiatry. My compassion is great; I feel I am needed. I have done so far much volunteer work and plan to do even more.
I guess I wish to be superhuman to prove myself. My prior life was very painful, but again, I'm determined to make it no matter what. No matter what my fears say I cannot achieve, I know I can overcome them and succeed. I know going through medical school is very demanding and stressful, but I feel I can do it with the right supports and determination. Thanks for listening. I don't want advice telling me what I should or should not do. I generally probably won't listen much. It'd be great to have someone to support me and vice-versa with the similar goal of becoming a physician. PM me I suppose.
Briefly and to the basic point, I suffered greatly from age 12 years to age 26 with hard to diagnose and treat bipolar type 2 disorder (no full-blown manias, hypomanias, greatly exacerbated by antidepressants, no psychosis ever, mainly severe depressions, some rapid cycling), and I would say that is partly the genesis of my desire to become a child psychiatrist. I met children/adolescents traumatized beyond belief in my travels and I have a deep heartfelt empathy for them. I have a natural gift in working with children also and a deep interest in neuroscience and psychology. Child psychiatrists are in huge demand. I wish to help ease to the shortage and fulfill a great societal need. I would say my goal has part selfish motivations--wishing to master the trauma I experienced psychologically as a child by helping these children. I am working through these issues now in psychotherapy.
My mental health condition has been very stable for 4 years and I have had no significant episodes of hypomania or depression. I manage this illness with medications I know I will be on for a lifetime, psychotherapy, which is mainly a check-in for me, exercise, meditation, positive thinking, and a good routine/structure. I feel I can use this same routine while in medical school and for the rest of my life. Though I might have to modify my routines a bit to deal with the rigors of medical school and residency. I am determined to make it to an M.D. program in the United States. My odds might be slim though given my history with mental illness, I fear. The stigma is great.
My educational history has been very scattered. I have probably racked up over 20 W's due to the effects of my illness. I did have some F grades which I have successfully petitioned to be taken off of my record. I may be able to get some of those W's taken off as well. I went to a community college for years and built up quite a marriage with some professors and a few Deans. Many people have been very sympathetic, knowing I have always been an excellent student and kind and good-hearted to others. So, I have some help there. I finished my A.A. in psychology eventually with 3.91. Two B's due to illness also. The professors were forgiving.
I know this is going to be a steep uphill battle. My circuitous plan is to greatly prove myself over the next 8 years. I am 30 now and plan to apply around 38. Doctorhood will be my second career. I am going into nursing first, hoping to score a job in peds or psych. My desire to going into nursing first is to prove myself in a demanding career and honestly, I really need a good source of income as I am barely making it.
I am also engaged to be married in the following year and wish to have 2 children over the coming years. I feel a good family life will prove stability also to my ADCOMS. I plan to do an Associates program in nursing and also take the medical school pre-reqs while in nursing school. While the med school pre-reqs will be at a community college, this community college has an excellent reputation. They do have pre-medical advising as well. I will be following up at a pretty well-known four year school with a major in biology, so I will have upper level classes. My goal for the rest of my undergrad is nothing less than 4.0 GPA. I will also be majoring in English as I have a passion for literature and creative writing. My goal for the MCATs is high with 97th percentile or above. My IQ is in the gifted range, so hopefully with much preparation, it is doable.
So, I plan to have excellent stats to offset my scattered and tormented educational path prior. You may think it highly unlikely, but I am very determined and dedicated towards these kids in child psychiatry. My compassion is great; I feel I am needed. I have done so far much volunteer work and plan to do even more.
I guess I wish to be superhuman to prove myself. My prior life was very painful, but again, I'm determined to make it no matter what. No matter what my fears say I cannot achieve, I know I can overcome them and succeed. I know going through medical school is very demanding and stressful, but I feel I can do it with the right supports and determination. Thanks for listening. I don't want advice telling me what I should or should not do. I generally probably won't listen much. It'd be great to have someone to support me and vice-versa with the similar goal of becoming a physician. PM me I suppose.
