Mental health affecting residency progress

[anonobanano]

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PGY-2 in a surgical subspecialty here. I am struggling mightily with my mental health and feel completely lost. I failed step 3 by 3 points and have no time to study for a retake. I am thousands of miles from my support system back home and very unhappy where I am living. I am completely overwhelmed with the learning curve in my specialty now that intern year is over. I feel like I can't make any progress in my residency program because I am constantly in a depressive state and cannot focus on anything but regretting my decisions when I get off work.

I am struggling, and I feel stuck. I feel I made the wrong choice in my specialty.

What are my options? Is medical leave a bad idea?

 

[CopaceticOne]

PGY-2 in a surgical subspecialty here. I am struggling mightily with my mental health and feel completely lost. I failed step 3 by 3 points and have no time to study for a retake. I am thousands of miles from my support system back home and very unhappy where I am living. I am completely overwhelmed with the learning curve in my specialty now that intern year is over. I feel like I can't make any progress in my residency program because I am constantly in a depressive state and cannot focus on anything but regretting my decisions when I get off work.

I am struggling, and I feel stuck. I feel I made the wrong choice in my specialty, but I'm pretty sure can't pursue another field as I already switched once.

What are my options? Is medical leave a bad idea?

1) Get local professional help. Does your institutions GME organization have mental health services you can connect with?

2) Talk with your program about the failure of Step 3 and if something can be done to help you succeed next attempt. They need you to pass at some point, and they will be aware of the failed attempt.

3) While you’re figuring out the above points, schedule periodic FaceTime catch-ups with people of your support system that are far away. Seeing their faces and interacting can have a restorative effect and give you something to look forward to outside of the work related things.

4) Get sleep, try to eat well, bathe, etc.

 

[anonobanano]

I started my residency program >1500 miles from home and I feel like I’ve completely ruined my life. The move has destroyed my relationship, my relationship with myself, and my mental health has deteriorated to the point where I’m struggling with suicidal thoughts.

I’m desperate for advice on how to get out of this situation and get back home. If I go on medical leave how will this affect my career? Will trying to leave or transfer again ruin my career?

I don’t know what to do. I am in a very dark place

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You should absolutely, positively consider an LOA. The impact to your career is not something to worry about now, as the impact on your career of not doing so could be ultimately catastrophic. Take an LOA, and then when you're in a better place you'll be able to decide the best path forward.

You might decide to stay where you are once you're feeling better and continue.

You might decide that moving back home is best - and that might involve a change in specialties.

Your career won't be "over". It might be different. But as you say you're on a dark path, and that does not lead anywhere good. You need a reset.

If you get a medical eval and are put on an LOA, you should get disability -- which will likely be your entire salary for at least 6 weeks. So financially, you'll be fine while getting your feet under you.

You can't plan for the future where you are now. Get the help you need, and then you'll plan.

 

[DrMetal]

I started my residency program >1500 miles from home and I feel like I’ve completely ruined my life. The move has destroyed my relationship, my relationship with myself, and my mental health has deteriorated to the point where I’m struggling with suicidal thoughts.

I’m desperate for advice on how to get out of this situation and get back home. If I go on medical leave how will this affect my career? Will trying to leave or transfer again ruin my career?

I don’t know what to do. I am in a very dark place

Relationship with a significant other? Are you just bummed bc you're away from home (first time?), or are there other problems in the program?

 

[anonobanano]

Relationship with a significant other? Are you just bummed bc you're away from home (first time?), or are there other problems in the program?

Yes with my girlfriend. And not first time away from home, but it’s going from one region to another with a huge change. Unfortunately the specialty and the location is the problem.

 

[DrMetal]

Yes with my girlfriend. And not first time away from home, but it’s going from one region to another with a huge change. Unfortunately the specialty and the location is the problem.

What specialty? how long of a residency? How serious of a girlfriend? (can she come out there? stay with you for a while). All good questions and things to consider before you bail on a perfectly good residency spot.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

What specialty? how long of a residency? How serious of a girlfriend? (can she come out there? stay with you for a while). All good questions and things to consider before you bail on a perfectly good residency spot.

Taking a leave of absence is not bailing on your spot. Once you're in a better spot, all of these are good questions to ask, and continuing on in your program would be an option.

 

[DrMetal]

Taking a leave of absence is not bailing on your spot. Once you're in a better spot, all of these are good questions to ask, and continuing on in your program would be an option.

True, nothing wrong with an LOA, most programs have a mechanism and policy (but it does sound like the OP wants to bail).