Premed with schizophrenia

[silas2642]

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Hi all,
I currently am a premed student at UNL, and everything has gone very well so far. The only prerequisites I haven't completed are my 2 semesters of physics, and I am a math major who is good at science, so I envision getting As. My GPA is sitting at a 3.98 (stupid A-) and from practice MCATs I am getting in the mid 30s range. I have plenty of intense research experience both in biology and math in independent and group settings. My plan is to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. program somewhere in the midwest region, and I feel I am well qualified and have a good chance at getting into a program.

The only problem is I have schizophrenia, with symptoms starting a little over a year ago. I have been getting treatment, but I have relapsed several times over the past year and have had several hospitalizations. My doctor is heavily recommending that I take a semester off, which I plan on doing just so I can get stabilized in a long term situation. I agree with this plan and think it will do me well. Most of my symptoms are gone, no delusions/paranoia, the only relapsing symptom are the voices, and I am learning to be able to ignore it. So at this point I feel I will make a fairly complete recovery and will be capable of completing med school, of course by continuing to take my medication.

My question is, do you think I even have a chance at being accepted into an M.D. program, let alone an M.D./Ph.D. program? Should I keep this disease hidden from med schools, or should I embrace it? I have 5 Ws spread over the last two semesters as a result of hospitalizations, so if I keep it a secret how do I explain those?

Any comments are welcome, thank you.

It sounds like you have done academically very well-- and so congratulations are in order. What you have accomplished is not an easy feat for someone who doesn't share your struggles, much less a person who has schizophrenia.

Whether or not pursuing medicine is something that should be decided between you, and the people who know you best, i.e. your psychiatrist and possibly your family. The ignorant opinions of a bunch of premedical students are somewhat irrelevant. It certainly sounds like you are very intelligent and are intellectually up to the challenge, but are going to be able to handle the other rigors of medical training and still be able to remain stable?

If you do decide to med school, I certainly wouldn't mention it on the interview trail. However, if you do matriculate into med school it is IMPERATIVE that you set up a good social support system-- you'll need to have a psychiatrist near your school that you see regularly who can monitor you and make sure that your'e doing okay. This may mean letting the school know about your condition to get permission to miss things like labs, etc. in order to make appointments.

I would also like to say that if you have any doubt as to your diagnosis or prognosis, do not hesitate to get a second opinion to help you out.

 

[Compass]

This needs to be a decision the OP needs to make himself or with someone who is capable of providing accurate information in regards to this. It is difficult for us to be objective on this subject at hand due to personal biases.

 

[pianola]

This needs to be a decision the OP needs to make himself or with someone who is capable of providing accurate information in regards to this. It is difficult for us to be objective on this subject at hand due to personal biases.

Exactly. I think someone else pointed out that schizophrenia does not impair intellect. However, I think most of us might find it difficult to imagine living (or concentrating) with voices in our heads. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean that the OP can't do it successfully. We simply do not know his or her situation.

It's hard to respond without personal biases which is exactly why I think a healthcare provider should be consulted (or perhaps even several providers -- don't get just one opinion if you can help it).

 

[loveoforganic]

Well, it was psychosis that was mentioned, not schizophrenia. I think it's important to note that hallucinations aren't the only manifestations of psychosis. Directly contrary to maintaining intellect are dellusional thinking and scattered thoughts.

 

[FuturaDocta]

Intelligence does not correlate with mental disorders. I actually have a brother with severe schizophrenia and OCD that fairs very well in school. It is amazing that he can still go to school. However, since his symptoms seem to be increasingly worse in the past few weeks, I think that will all come to an end for at least a couple of months while he stays in a mental hospital. Unfortunately, stress seems to cause these symptoms to increase and become almost uncontrollable.

However, in your case, it seems like you are in control becuase you actually recognize that you have it. Now, there are ways to control these sympotoms with lots of therapy and the right medications. It is something you will have to learn to live with.

I wouldn't cancel out being a doctor because of your schizophrenia. But, I would take caution. If you develop a way to control your schizophrenia well enough, I don't see why you shouldn't pursue your dream.

In my brother's case, I can see him with a future as long as he has undergoes the right treatments well enough to make his disease less dominant over his life.

PS. Ever watch a beautiful mind? I think it offers some inspiration because he eventually learns to live with his disorder. I think you can too.

I wish you the best!

 

[synlor]

Thank you all for the feedback, I especially liked serious cat 🙂. I didn't mean to start up any amount of controversy, but I guess it is to be expected.

I want to somewhat clarify my experience with the disease. Since day one I knew I was hallucinating, or that I was delusional. I have always known when my symptoms were acting up, and can take certain actions to eliminate the symptoms. I am still very high functioning, and the longer I have had the disease it gets even easier. My relapses were simply just one or two minutes of hallucinations every few months, and at first that really bothered me (thus going to the hospital out of fear), but like I said, now I can fairly easily ignore it. I am pretty lucky to be at this point with the disease, as I could easily be far less functional.

I still plan to pursue a medical career of some kind at this point, though my focus in the immediate future is to become as stable as possible.

Thanks again for the commentary, both positive and negative. If people think this is too controversial for the board, I would not be upset with the topic being locked.

 

[loveoforganic]

A couple minutes of hallucinations per month? Do you clearly have some of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia? Have you gotten more than one evaluation?

 

[not so calm now]

Thank you all for the feedback, I especially liked serious cat 🙂. I didn't mean to start up any amount of controversy, but I guess it is to be expected.

I want to somewhat clarify my experience with the disease. Since day one I knew I was hallucinating, or that I was delusional. I have always known when my symptoms were acting up, and can take certain actions to eliminate the symptoms. I am still very high functioning, and the longer I have had the disease it gets even easier. My relapses were simply just one or two minutes of hallucinations every few months, and at first that really bothered me (thus going to the hospital out of fear), but like I said, now I can fairly easily ignore it. I am pretty lucky to be at this point with the disease, as I could easily be far less functional.

I still plan to pursue a medical career of some kind at this point, though my focus in the immediate future is to become as stable as possible.

Thanks again for the commentary, both positive and negative. If people think this is too controversial for the board, I would not be upset with the topic being locked.

I very much wish you the best. If your two posts are any indication, you are more articulate and collected than most of the people on this board. Good luck with getting everything stabilized.

 

[45408]

I don't see why you can't give it a try. See how things go. If I were you, I probably wouldn't divulge that I was schizophrenic in my AMCAS, but I don't think you should hide it per se.

 

[Jolie South]

Closing this thread as it is no longer productive. I'd like to encourage the OP to consider posting in the Confidential Consult forum for further advice.