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I was reading some other threads related to depression and a few people gave really wonderful, solid advice. If anyone has experienced anything similar, please PM me.
I finished MS2 over a month ago. I have been struggling with relapses and complications from infectious mononucleosis for the past few months. I was scheduled to take Step 1 in late June and start 3rd year in July. After a follow up visit with my doctor, I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to physically handle starting 3rd year in my current state. I had been looking forward to getting into the clinics for months. In fact, that was what kept me going when I was stuck in bed for weeks and weeks and trying to keep up with my class work when I was so sick. I was actually genuinely excited about studying for Step. It was going to be a chance to finally put things together, fill in some gaps in my knowledge, and start to get the big picture. Plus then I'd get to immediately go and use that knowledge with real patients!
After that conversation with my doctor I just went into this downward spiral. I probably would have fit the criteria for moderate depression before that just from the isolation and physical limitations from having mono, but now have what would certainly qualify as severe depression. I've wasted the past 5 weeks. Most of it I've spent sitting on my couch or lying awake in bed just beating myself up for various things. I kept trying to study, but I realized that I was having trouble concentrating on simple things like driving or watching a movie or reading a news article. (I've been getting treatment for my depression, and just being able to concentrate long enough to write this is an accomplishment!)
The administration at my school wants me to take an extra month off, take my boards, and begin school again in late July. I really think that at this point I want to take a whole year off. It seem extreme, and I still have not had the guts to tell my school. I have a great research opportunity lined up and I should be able to do a lot of the work for the first few months from home until I am well again. I did not realize how much of a toll this whole situation has had on my relationship with my husband. School and my career and certainly important to me, but I think I've finally found a good compromise. I can take a year and do research (in the field I'm interested in!), get my mind and body back, and work on taking care of my husband after he's done so much too take care of me.
So my questions: Has anyone had any experience with taking a medical leave of absence? Did it have any effects on applications later? When should I try to take Step? In a month? a few months? next summer before MS3??
I finished MS2 over a month ago. I have been struggling with relapses and complications from infectious mononucleosis for the past few months. I was scheduled to take Step 1 in late June and start 3rd year in July. After a follow up visit with my doctor, I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to physically handle starting 3rd year in my current state. I had been looking forward to getting into the clinics for months. In fact, that was what kept me going when I was stuck in bed for weeks and weeks and trying to keep up with my class work when I was so sick. I was actually genuinely excited about studying for Step. It was going to be a chance to finally put things together, fill in some gaps in my knowledge, and start to get the big picture. Plus then I'd get to immediately go and use that knowledge with real patients!
After that conversation with my doctor I just went into this downward spiral. I probably would have fit the criteria for moderate depression before that just from the isolation and physical limitations from having mono, but now have what would certainly qualify as severe depression. I've wasted the past 5 weeks. Most of it I've spent sitting on my couch or lying awake in bed just beating myself up for various things. I kept trying to study, but I realized that I was having trouble concentrating on simple things like driving or watching a movie or reading a news article. (I've been getting treatment for my depression, and just being able to concentrate long enough to write this is an accomplishment!)
The administration at my school wants me to take an extra month off, take my boards, and begin school again in late July. I really think that at this point I want to take a whole year off. It seem extreme, and I still have not had the guts to tell my school. I have a great research opportunity lined up and I should be able to do a lot of the work for the first few months from home until I am well again. I did not realize how much of a toll this whole situation has had on my relationship with my husband. School and my career and certainly important to me, but I think I've finally found a good compromise. I can take a year and do research (in the field I'm interested in!), get my mind and body back, and work on taking care of my husband after he's done so much too take care of me.
So my questions: Has anyone had any experience with taking a medical leave of absence? Did it have any effects on applications later? When should I try to take Step? In a month? a few months? next summer before MS3??
