So far so good but...

[4EverBluDevils]

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I am enjoying my road to psychiatry even though it has just started (taking pre-med courses, volunteering at a mental health place, looking for a job in the field of medicine). But something is tugging at me, and I wonder if my calling is not politics.

-I enjoy reading political books (libertarian conservative), listening to talk radio, watching the news, and engaging in debates with my best friend (a marxist socialist)
BUT: It could just be a hobby
BUT: It doesn't pay well
BUT: Because of my world view I feel that as a woman men (besides my best friend) would just be humoring me and allowing me to feel as if my opinions actually mattered

-I am deeply concerned about women's issues, particularly Muslim/Arab women who it seems are suffering tremendously, and I wonder if I shouldn't try to help us/them
BUT: Maybe there's nothing I can do about it
BUT: No one else seems to care
BUT: Pays little
BUT: Might not "work", no fruits of labor
BUT: I don't know the culture and might find to my embarassment that they are opposed to what I am trying to do for them

-It would be a dream come true if I could be rich and famous in it, like a public intellectual, maybe write a bestseller or work for a think tank
BUT: Things about my private life and past would come out for the whole world

I still love the idea of being a psychiatrist. In fact I think I could better serve women as a psychiatrist, because 1) they would be coming to me so I would know they wanted my help 2) I could see the results each week/month, if there was progress 3) What I would say would be tailored to each woman instead of just telling them to conform to one model. I just wonder because it's a big step and I want to go into it full force.

 

[4EverBluDevils]

as a matter of fact, now that I think about it, that part about helping women in Arab/Muslim countries sounds very quixotic. There's nothing that can be done. I remember I got swept up in wanting to save poor (black) Brazilians at one point. It will take an all out civil war in either case.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I know there are programs like Doctors Without Borders that do outreach work in 3rd world countries, though it isn't psychiatry specific.

-t

 

[4EverBluDevils]

that's a good idea

 

[4EverBluDevils]

thanks for the web link. I checked it out and it's really exciting. They have psychological need and they target women. I could also employ my love of languages and travel.