psyhciatry-Is it respected & gaining recognition?

[deeaan]

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Hi!
I am an IMG with good scores going willingly for psychiatry..
I Keep hearing from people that ...

Its not respected as a branch.....
Its for people with low scores ......
It is a waste of all those medical years..
It is unreal......

I came to US for psychiatry in uS thinking that views about psychiatry here would be better as compared to back in my country.But hearing all the above disappoints me.
Though it hasnt made me change my decision of persuing Psychiatry & I still love it but sometimes the doubt creeps in..
Please suggest how to deal with this because being respected as an intellectual is very important for me & thats what bothers me most..
Any comments wud be appreciated
Thanks

 

[Big Lebowski]

Unfortunately you're going to deal with those issues in psychiatry. The good news is, there are a lot of physicians out there who truly do respect the profession....but some do not.

I truly hope you do not let other people's perception of your career alter your plans. It's your life...not theirs. If you enjoy the field, are interested and challenged by it, and think you can make someone's life better by being a psychiatrist...then do it. But if you need approval from others and reassurance that your profession matters...then don't. High self-esteem is important both for practicing and enjoying psychiatry.

 

[Thewonderer]

Not everyone respects psychiatrists but there are plenty of people out there who do. If you want, then surround yourself with people who do respect you and ignore those who do not. However, many people do joke around so don't take them seriously (some residents will joke and say that psychiatrists are not real docs but then they also come around and say, thank goodness, you can deal with psych pts because there is a real need out there and they themselves cannot deal with these issues like you can).

I mean, after all, derm and radiology are insanely competitive this year. yet, people also call them non-real docs and a total waste of their talents! For those people, their handsome paychecks and true interest in pathologies will give them the ultimate rewards. for you, a psychiatrist, helping people who are shunned and understanding your pts at a deeper level will give you the ultimate rewards. That's all.

 

[mdblue]

My 0.02c-
1. You will be doing psych if you are interested in it, not for getting other's approval/acceptance/respect. There is an debate going on in gen res forum on psych's validaty as a medical specialty right on this issue, which amply shows why most people see docs as intensely narcissistic.
2.Med/Surg(and other specialties) have their own pros and cons-psych has it's own share. However the involvement of non-medicos is significantly higher in psych, and they are seen as valuable member of a treatment team, which probably IMHO contributes to demedicalization of psych to certain extent.
3.Pay is OK, lifestyle is a definite plus, u'll have u'r pick betweeen neuroscience/psychpharm and psychosocial tx(or both) with immense pleasure from helping out people, what else do u need as a doc?
4.Traditionally psych is a low-scoring specialty, but the mean scores are increasing(at least to my exp). And also high scores in structured tests do not always make you a good psychiatrist or a doc for that matter.
Hope this helps.
🙂

 

[deeaan]

Thanks everybody....the comments really helped.I do realise that oscourse I gotto do what gives ME satisfaction than anybody else..& If I am good I will recieve recognition no matter what.
Can you plz tell me how do we get to choose neuroscience after Psychaitry.I didnt know that was one of the fellowships available after Psychaitry.
Thanks everybody & God Bless.

 

[mdblue]

Hi all
Just saw an article where apparently tom cruize has claimed that "psych should be outlawed". It's hilarious to see that there is no limit to idiocy.😕

 

[Kluver Bucy]

Originally posted by mdblue
Hi all
Just saw an article where apparently tom cruize has claimed that "psych should be outlawed". It's hilarious to see that there is no limit to idiocy.😕

Tommyboy is probably just frustrated b/c the academy passed over him again. Has to take it out on someone.

Those Scientologists really hate psychiatry. I guess they'd like to see Dianetics replace the DSM-IV.

Here's Tom Cruise's quote:
?There?s nothing scientific about it. Communication is a good thing, but I think people get more mentally out of having a good meal or going for a walk. I think psychiatry should be outlawed. I can't believe electric shock therapy is still used. I think it definitely does more harm than good."

 

[Kluver Bucy]

Originally posted by deeaan
Please suggest how to deal with this because being respected as an intellectual is very important for me & thats what bothers me most..

I know it's not what you're looking for, but a retired physician once passed on to me this nugget of sage wisdom:
At age 20, you're obsessed with what everyone thinks about you.
At age 40, you don't give a rat's arse what people think.
At age 60, you realize that nobody ever gave a damn in the first place.