Mental Health Issues Final Semester

[Lambda Phage]

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I'm in my final semester and have done quite well thus far (see MDApps). However, one week ago (2/11) I ended my relationship with my long-time girlfriend. It was absolutely heartbreaking and I'm still in love her, but those feelings aren't reciprocated anymore. To add to the heartache, everything was going well up until the day she decided to break it off, which was incredibly abrupt and shocking to me.

Due to the breakup and impending exam schedule, I suffered anxiety attacks over the weekend so I took myself to the OR on Saturday (2/15) to receive medication. (I've had stints with minor anxiety every few years, but nothing like this.) The meds they gave me, while effectively assuaging my anxiety, make me feel like a hollow shell; I have no ambition, no motivation, and no concentration whatsoever. To make matters worse, I had a calc exam last night and a genetics exam this past morning, both of which I bombed. I knew the material but my mind was in a different place. I have another exam in a few hours and I'm not confident about that one either.

I am currently seeking counseling for my depression/anxiety and doing the best I can given the circumstances. It pains me to think that one woman can destroy 3+ years of HARD work...

So my point is, will I have a chance to describe why my final semester grades tanked to the adcom? Or will they simply assume senioritis kicked in...? Or that I don't have the ability to take upper level courses and succeed?

FWIW, I took 20 credits last semester, 17 were 400+ biology or biochemistry and got a 4.0 on everything.

Thanks all. 🙂

EDIT: I will be applying this summer and taking a gap year.

 

[sliceofbread136]

If this is really bad consider taking a year off from school and doing something else. I've always wished I did a year of traveling or something like that

 

[Lambda Phage]

If this is really bad consider taking a year off from school and doing something else. I've always wished I did a year of traveling or something like that

I'm in my last semester and just want to get it over with, 3.9+ GPA or not. I'm going to try to push through. Plus I don't have the money to take a year off. :/

I am taking a gap year between undergrad and medical school though; hopefully it'll give me a chance to improve my mental/emotional wellbeing.

Right now I feel burnt the eff out. I haven't been eating that much either, or doing things I typically enjoy like lifting or playing videos games with friends... *sigh*

 

[sliceofbread136]

I'm in my last semester and just want to get it over with, 3.9+ GPA or not. I'm going to try to push through. Plus I don't have the money to take a year off. :/

I am taking a gap year between undergrad and medical school though; hopefully it'll give me a chance to improve my mental/emotional wellbeing.

Right now I feel burnt the eff out. I haven't been eating that much either, or doing things I typically enjoy like lifting or playing videos games with friends... *sigh*

Sounds like a gap year is what you need. Try just focusing on your work for now and power through. Definitely get some counseling, maybe see a psychiatrist. Goodluck!

 

[Mad Jack]

Always remember that a life well lived is the best revenge. You already gave her your heart, don't give her your future as well. Use your pain as a force to push you to success, rather than letting it crush you beneath its weight until you fail.

I was in a very similar situation some years ago. Me and this girl were engaged, had been together nearly four years, then *bam* she cheats on me with my former best friend two weeks before finals. Told her to pack her **** the night I caught them, threw it all in her car and told her I never wanted to see her again. Got an A on every. Single. Exam. That horrible event actually turned out to be the driving force behind much of my academic success for the next two years. I used to hate her, but now I would probably thank her for saving me another round of divorce proceedings and giving me such a powerful source of motivation to boot.

 

[gumdrops]

I'm in my final semester and have done quite well thus far (see MDApps). However, one week ago (2/11) I ended my relationship with my long-time girlfriend. It was absolutely heartbreaking and I'm still in love her, but those feelings aren't reciprocated anymore. To add to the heartache, everything was going well up until the day she decided to break it off, which was incredibly abrupt and shocking to me.

Due to the breakup and impending exam schedule, I suffered anxiety attacks over the weekend so I took myself to the OR on Saturday (2/15) to receive medication. (I've had stints with minor anxiety every few years, but nothing like this.) The meds they gave me, while effectively assuaging my anxiety, make me feel like a hollow shell; I have no ambition, no motivation, and no concentration whatsoever. To make matters worse, I had a calc exam last night and a genetics exam this past morning, both of which I bombed. I knew the material but my mind was in a different place. I have another exam in a few hours and I'm not confident about that one either.

I am currently seeking counseling for my depression/anxiety and doing the best I can given the circumstances. It pains me to think that one woman can destroy 3+ years of HARD work...

So my point is, will I have a chance to describe why my final semester grades tanked to the adcom? Or will they simply assume senioritis kicked in...? Or that I don't have the ability to take upper level courses and succeed?

FWIW, I took 20 credits last semester, 17 were 400+ biology or biochemistry and got a 4.0 on everything.

Thanks all. 🙂

EDIT: I will be applying this summer and taking a gap year.

I so see myself in you with this post, seriously. Break-ups never get easier...we just get better at dealing with them. What's important to remember is that you WILL feel better. Maybe not for a little while but I can assure you that a year from now, you will have come to terms with this situation somehow. From an old lady who has loved and lost before 😉, the best way to both get over the break-up and to figure out whether the end of this relationship is the right decision is to keep moving forward. These things have a funny way of working themselves out if people work on their own happiness and envision making a great life on their own terms.

What I also gather is that aside from the break-up, you likely also have anxiety about a future that's robbed of something that felt certain. Relationships lend a lot of comfort and stability in life. When that's abruptly taken from you, it hurts like a mother. That, combined with all of the work and uncertainty that lies ahead in applying to medical school, is probably making you even more anxious than usual. The break-up was the straw that broke the camel's back. So I really sympathize here.

As far as your classes, you have a 3.9+ GPA and this is your last term of college. There are just twelve weeks left. You will especially regret it if you allow anyone but yourself to hurt this incredible record. It helps to identify what you can and can't control. You can control kicking butt on your exams and graduating with a stellar record that will assuredly get you into medical school. You can't control people falling in and out of love with you. People are extremely irrational so to try to pin your emotions on how someone else feels about you is never a good idea. Exercise, eat and sleep as well as you can and make sure you make some time to enjoy senior year of college. My guess is that you'll be feeling better by summer if you take this as an opportunity to get stronger and improve. Best of luck to you.

 

[Lambda Phage]

I have since spoken to my ex and basically told her to gtfo of my life. I feel so much better now.

 

[dancingmate]

Similar thing happened to me during my senior year, a few months before my MCAT retake. The best I can tell you is that it will get better slowly with time. I invested all my energy in my grades and MCAT studying to get my mind off the breakup. Ended up getting a 4.0 that semester and improving 4 points on my MCAT. I know it may seem hard now, but try your best to focus in school and make plans to work somewhere cool next year for your gap year. That way, you will have something to look forward to after graduating!

 

[Mad Jack]

I have since spoken to my ex and basically told her to gtfo of my life. I feel so much better now.

Congrats. It'll take time to feel completely okay, but I promise, it will come. The *most important thing* is to maintain radio silence so your brain can rewire itself without her being present in your life. Don't be friends, don't keep in touch on Facebook, stick with exactly what you did and keep her out of your life entirely.

 

[Lambda Phage]

Congrats. It'll take time to feel completely okay, but I promise, it will come. The *most important thing* is to maintain radio silence so your brain can rewire itself without her being present in your life. Don't be friends, don't keep in touch on Facebook, stick with exactly what you did and keep her out of your life entirely.

It'll be a difficult to cut her out completely given how she interwove herself into my family; she has my parents' number, she still has my number, she's friends with my siblings on FB, etc.

I hate technology sometimes...

 

[Lambda Phage]

Similar thing happened to me during my senior year, a few months before my MCAT retake. The best I can tell you is that it will get better slowly with time. I invested all my energy in my grades and MCAT studying to get my mind off the breakup. Ended up getting a 4.0 that semester and improving 4 points on my MCAT. I know it may seem hard now, but try your best to focus in school and make plans to work somewhere cool next year for your gap year. That way, you will have something to look forward to after graduating!

If that's you in your avatar... well, uh, I'm recently single you know... 😀

And congratulations on succeeding on the MCAT!

 

[Mad Jack]

It'll be a difficult to cut her out completely given how she interwove herself into my family; she has my parents' number, she still has my number, she's friends with my siblings on FB, etc.

I hate technology sometimes...

I know that feel. But trust me, the sooner you make it happen, the better of you'll be. Until she's banished from your life, every time you speak with her will just reset the pain clock to near-zero.

 

[Goro]

IF you get an II, someone may indeed ask about the out of character semester. That's your chance to explain. Do NOT use your PS for this...it will come off as making excuses.

Sorry to hear of your woes. I was in a mad and very passionate affair with a woman who looked liked she stepped out of the pages of Playboy, and then she dumped me. It hurt badly.

And a month later the heavens opened and i met my future wife!

There's a Jack for every Jill. This gal wasn't your Jill. She's out there and you'll find her. Having the MD degree will make it a lot easier too.

Take time to heal.


So my point is, will I have a chance to describe why my final semester grades tanked to the adcom? Or will they simply assume senioritis kicked in...? Or that I don't have the ability to take upper level courses and succeed?

 

[terp720]

It'll be a difficult to cut her out completely given how she interwove herself into my family; she has my parents' number, she still has my number, she's friends with my siblings on FB, etc.

I hate technology sometimes...

you can ask your siblings to unfriend her and your family to not respond to her. my family has done this in the past, and we all agreed because it's easier for them to move on. if she ended the relationship, she doesn't get to stay included in your family.

I know you are struggling with school now, but you do have time to turn things around, the semester isn't over yet. otherwise I agree with others who have posted

 

[Lambda Phage]

My grades are tanking. Is there somewhere on the AMCAS I can mention mental health as a reason for absolute failure?

 

[touchpause13]

Always remember that a life well lived is the best revenge. You already gave her your heart, don't give her your future as well. Use your pain as a force to push you to success, rather than letting it crush you beneath its weight until you fail.

I was in a very similar situation some years ago. Me and this girl were engaged, had been together nearly four years, then *bam* she cheats on me with my former best friend two weeks before finals. Told her to pack her **** the night I caught them, threw it all in her car and told her I never wanted to see her again. Got an A on every. Single. Exam. That horrible event actually turned out to be the driving force behind much of my academic success for the next two years. I used to hate her, but now I would probably thank her for saving me another round of divorce proceedings and giving me such a powerful source of motivation to boot.

Reminds me of my ex girlfriend. In the end her cheating on me was probably the best thing that could have happened, because that relationship was toxic.

OP I'm very sorry for your situation. It's tough. Taking care of yourself mentally is probably the best thing you can do right now. Good luck

 

[DermViser]

I'm in my final semester and have done quite well thus far (see MDApps). However, one week ago (2/11) I ended my relationship with my long-time girlfriend. It was absolutely heartbreaking and I'm still in love her, but those feelings aren't reciprocated anymore. To add to the heartache, everything was going well up until the day she decided to break it off, which was incredibly abrupt and shocking to me.

Due to the breakup and impending exam schedule, I suffered anxiety attacks over the weekend so I took myself to the OR on Saturday (2/15) to receive medication. (I've had stints with minor anxiety every few years, but nothing like this.) The meds they gave me, while effectively assuaging my anxiety, make me feel like a hollow shell; I have no ambition, no motivation, and no concentration whatsoever. To make matters worse, I had a calc exam last night and a genetics exam this past morning, both of which I bombed. I knew the material but my mind was in a different place. I have another exam in a few hours and I'm not confident about that one either.

I am currently seeking counseling for my depression/anxiety and doing the best I can given the circumstances. It pains me to think that one woman can destroy 3+ years of HARD work...

So my point is, will I have a chance to describe why my final semester grades tanked to the adcom? Or will they simply assume senioritis kicked in...? Or that I don't have the ability to take upper level courses and succeed?

FWIW, I took 20 credits last semester, 17 were 400+ biology or biochemistry and got a 4.0 on everything.

Thanks all. 🙂

EDIT: I will be applying this summer and taking a gap year.

You'll see that ending that relationship was a blessing in disguise.

 

[DermViser]

My grades are tanking. Is there somewhere on the AMCAS I can mention mental health as a reason for absolute failure?

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DO THIS.

 

[Ja3ger]

Try psilocybin mushrooms.

Seriously.

 

[DokterMom]

My grades are tanking. Is there somewhere on the AMCAS I can mention mental health as a reason for absolute failure?

Don't do that -- Try talking to your professors instead. Let them know that you do not have senioritis, that you care deeply about what you're learning, but that you just suffered through a very bad breakup and are having trouble coping and staying focused. Assess the damage. Ask them what the best you can do is if you pull yourself together and maybe do an extra credit project? A few B's won't spell the end of your dreams. A few D's or F's could, and you want to make sure you don't go there. Is it too late to withdraw from a class or two? Is your school a small one where your prof's will know you by reputation and maybe give you some leeway?

Above all, compartmentalize. Give yourself a set amount of time to grieve - maybe an hour a day? Whatever you decide to allot, do not allow yourself to exceed that amount. Eat right. Exercise. Drink in moderation. Exercise a little more. If you find your mind wandering, remind yourself that you've got another scheduled wallow-break tomorrow and that you've got to get back to work now. (It can be surprisingly effective.)

And good luck --

 

[MrChance2]

This too shall pass. You'll be OK. Sometimes when something goes wrong we have a tendency to catrastrophize and make it look like everything is terrible when it is really just one passing life event. You're in good shape for med school, you'll find another girl.

 

[Plecopotamus]

mental health is as serious as physical health, and although it is often hard for people to suck up the pride to do it, if you go to health/psychological services at your school, they can often write you a note just like they would if you had mono or the flu. You might be able to postpone work and take an INC in the class if you need it by the end of the semester. Consider withdrawing from classes you don't need to graduate. Consider taking the semester off. Many of us have had to work to overcome an out of character semester -- many of us could tell you what a pain it was, and I personally think that whatever it takes to take a term off could not ultimately have been as bad as what I had to go through as a consequence of not taking the W's.

 

[SolarMed]

My grades are tanking. Is there somewhere on the AMCAS I can mention mental health as a reason for absolute failure?

Hey I feel for you - really do. It sucks when that happens but is there a possibility that you don't handle stress well? This may be an issue if you became a surgeon one day and your wife cheats on you and you make severe mistakes and take lives... :/