Seeing a therapist?

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Due to poor mental health in my life recently, I am considering seeing a therapist (Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist as I would prefer not to take psychiatric drugs) to try and get some help, but I am afraid that since I am applying this cycle and about to submit my app, the fact that I'm seeing a therapist might come up in some of the background checks that AMCAS or individual medical schools do and derail my application. Is this something that anyone has any experience with? I think seeing a therapist might help me, however, I don't think I NEED to see a therapist per se and I think I'm in acceptable enough mental health to go through with apps without seeing a therapist, although it is obvious to me that I'm not at my 100% because I used to do so much more and now I feel weighed down by these issues.

 

[forumname1]

Why do you think that seeing a therapist would show up on a background check? Going to see a therapist is not a crime.

 

[teatimepanda]

Not only will it not show up on any background check, you should definitely do it! Go see the psychologist. I am sorry you're not feeling like yourself, but this is great practice for all these difficult years in the future should you enter medicine. You can rehearse how you would like to respond when you have these same feelings.

I know people trot out the old "mental health is physical health" line a lot, but try re-considering what you're saying about your acceptably diminished quality of life through that lens. If someone had a chronic health condition where they weren't dying imminently but they felt miserable, would a doctor treat them for it? Yes! Our standard of care is a good life, not just a heartbeat. You deserve to have professional expertise applied to what is troubling you.

Don't mention it to anyone in apps or at interviews the way you wouldn't mention having office surgery, but it shouldn't be anything to be ashamed of. Also know that it can take a couple attempts to find a good fit with a mental health provider. I hope you find one you like quickly and that you're back on the mend soon.

 

[ciestar]

Yes, seeing a therapist will show up on a CRIMINAL background check. HIPAA also isn’t a thing.

OP, if you need help, get it. Nothing leads to attrition in med school more than mental health issues.

 

[Goro]

Due to poor mental health in my life recently, I am considering seeing a therapist (Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist as I would prefer not to take psychiatric drugs) to try and get some help, but I am afraid that since I am applying this cycle and about to submit my app, the fact that I'm seeing a therapist might come up in some of the background checks that AMCAS or individual medical schools do and derail my application. Is this something that anyone has any experience with? I think seeing a therapist might help me, however, I don't think I NEED to see a therapist per se and I think I'm in acceptable enough mental health to go through with apps without seeing a therapist, although it is obvious to me that I'm not at my 100% because I used to do so much more and now I feel weighed down by these issues.

Getting help is always a good thing.

Med schools are NOT omniscient. This would never, ever come up on a background check.

Look up HIPAA, while you're at it.

 

[nymd22]

Absolutely do it! Medical schools will never find out and even if they did, they probably wouldn't care! medical students go to therapy all the time (myself included) and my school encourages it.

 

[ciestar]

Nope. Seeing a therapist will NOT show up on a CRIMINAL background check. However giving bad advise on SDN should show up on a BOOB background check.

Sarcasm. Sheesh, I thought that was obvious seeing as there is NOTHING illegal about therapy. I even encouraged it later in my post 😆