Premed anxiety

[deleted621740]

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So this spring (freshman year) I started to develop pretty bad anxiety. With So much studying, working in a lab, volunteering, and shadowing I was burnt out to the point where anxiety began to set in. I finished the semester w/ A's and the hard work payed off but Ever since school ended, I have still had these symptoms. I have also began to feel guilty for hanging out with friends and I feel like others are doing more than me if I'm not studying (even though I have a plate full of extra curriculars) and I don't want to take SSRI's that were prescribed to me, has anyone else been in this situation?

 

[AspiringERMD]

So this spring (freshman year) I started to develop pretty bad anxiety. With So much studying, working in a lab, volunteering, and shadowing I was burnt out to the point where anxiety began to set in. I finished the semester w/ A's and the hard work payed off but Ever since school ended, I have still had these symptoms. I have also began to feel guilty for hanging out with friends and I feel like others are doing more than me if I'm not studying (even though I have a plate full of extra curriculars) and I don't want to take SSRI's that were prescribed to me, has anyone else been in this situation?

Is there a reason you're against taking SSRIs? I don't take an SSRI (they didn't work for me), but I take something similar (a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) that has completely fixed me with no side effects. I've never felt so normal. I react to stress just like a normal person now (i.e. it's stressful and difficult, but it doesn't cause a practically paralytic meltdown, even if it's fairly extreme stress).

In any case, you should see someone to be evaluated. Maybe you just need someone to talk to and don't need meds.

 

[Alucard6]

You need to take a deep breath and look at the goods too. For a freshman year at college it is exceptional to get all A's, many congrats! Be proud of what you were able to accomplish and take the time off, you deserve it. Do you have anything to clear your mind? Like reading or book or going outside for a run or anything as a hobby.

The school year is the time to buckle down and give it your 110%, and anxiety is perfectly normal. The summer time is the time to be able to unwind and relax after the well-deserved hard work you put in. You are already doing so much, you do not want to kill yourself and FORCE yourself to do things just to "catch up" (because you are not behind in anything). Along with doing all the things that med schools "like", also pick up some things along the way to do things that you enjoy. All pre-meds need a balance of both, or else they will eventually collapse if they don't. Also, a good network of friends can be tremendously helpful along the way.

 

[NickNaylor]

Why don't you want to take a medication that was appropriately prescribed to you? That doesn't strike me as very intelligent. If you have some weird issue with SSRIs and think the issue is transient (doesn't sound like it) then ask to try a benzo instead. Also, did a psychiatrist prescribe the SSRI? If not, consider seeing a psychiatrist rather than your PCP; they might be able to suggest non-pharmacological interventions if you just have an issue with taking medications generally.

That's fine if you don't want to take medications, but simply not taking your medication and never following up with your physician is a bonehead move. There are plenty of treatment options available to you, but you have to take the initiative to get help and make your preferences known about what you want for treatment. Your physician may very well tell you that in their opinion medication will be necessary, but you don't know if that's the case or not if you never go get reevaluated.

Trying to deal with this on your own, while admirable, may not lead to the results you're hoping for. Go see a doctor. Your school likely has some kind of counseling service available to its students - that would be a great start.

 

[AspiringERMD]

Why don't you want to take a medication that was appropriately prescribed to you? That doesn't strike me as very intelligent. If you have some weird issue with SSRIs and think the issue is transient (doesn't sound like it) then ask to try a benzo instead. Also, did a psychiatrist prescribe the SSRI? If not, consider seeing a psychiatrist rather than your PCP; they might be able to suggest non-pharmacological interventions if you just have an issue with taking medications generally.

That's fine if you don't want to take medications, but simply not taking your medication and never following up with your physician is a bonehead move. There are plenty of treatment options available to you, but you have to take the initiative to get help and make your preferences known about what you want for treatment. Your physician may very well tell you that in their opinion medication will be necessary, but you don't know if that's the case or not if you never go get reevaluated.

Trying to deal with this on your own, while admirable, may not lead to the results you're hoping for. Go see a doctor. Your school likely has some kind of counseling service available to its students - that would be a great start.

Exactly. For the record, I always worried that I'd never be psychologically capable of med school (it's actually primarily why I decided to no longer be pre-med in undergrad). Now that I've found the proper medication, there's no question in my mind that I would handle it similar to anyone else. Of course it'll be rough and there will be days when I want to give up. But my mental health is not going to be what does me in (or at least is no more likely to do me in than anyone else).

Just get seen sooner rather than later. It took years for us to find something that worked so perfectly for me.

 

[DermViser]

So this spring (freshman year) I started to develop pretty bad anxiety. With So much studying, working in a lab, volunteering, and shadowing I was burnt out to the point where anxiety began to set in. I finished the semester w/ A's and the hard work payed off but Ever since school ended, I have still had these symptoms. I have also began to feel guilty for hanging out with friends and I feel like others are doing more than me if I'm not studying (even though I have a plate full of extra curriculars) and I don't want to take SSRI's that were prescribed to me, has anyone else been in this situation?

And why do you not want to take SSRIs that were prescribed to you, when a physician took the time to evaluate your condition?

 

[Being]

 

[mmmcdowe]

SDN is not the place for medical advice. Please speak with your physician or care provider regarding your concerns.