I am a graduate from a very malignant program, just finished in June. Even though I have been away from there for over a month now, I am having really bad anxiiety and depression to the point where I am considering starting SSRI. How many attendings out there have taken SSRI? Or better yet, when will i start feeling better?
I managed to graduate from this terrible program, shouldnt I feel happy? Do many residents experience this?
How many attendings out there have taken SSRI?
Who knows? You haven’t figured out, medicine is still a field all these psychiatric diagnoses aren’t really talked about?
Or better yet, when will i start feeling better?
Are you studying for boards? Do you have a job? Do you have a family? Do you have loans? It may be soon if you have all those things in order. It maybe a while.
I managed to graduate from this terrible program, shouldnt I feel happy?
Yes. But also there is a sense of “loss.” Just like normal grieving process, you now have “lost” something you were trucking though for the last 3 years (residency) and 4 years (med school). You are allowed to feel this way.
Do many residents experience this?
I think it’s a normal process. You just have a give yourself some time to figure out what’s next. I would line up a job, maybe ask for a little sign on bonus, unwind a little before next chapter of my life.
Also learn to take care of yourself. We don’t do enough of that for ourselves. If you need someone to talk to, find a professional. I am partial to psychiatrist who are trained in psychoanalysis. If you do need to start in SSRI, you can this way.
Good luck!
