Will I pass med school?

[NorweiganFjord]

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Hi, I'm 1 year into med school and I'm going through a period of great doubts.
Most subjects I study are...well.... rather interesting, but what really fascinates me is psychiatry and neurology and that's basically it. I've shadowed psychiatrists and done a lot of social work and I know I'm cut out for it and I know I would love working as a psychiatrist.

However....

I'm a typical ADD type of personality. I have absolutely no sense of orientation, I am always running around searching for the *#¤#**' room where class will take place b/c I can't find it. I'm also extremely clumsy - I'm tipping things over, dropping things. I have absolutely zero eye to hand coordination and more than one time have people looked at me as if I was plain stupid saying "but look at my hands!! hold it like this!!" and I have to embark on a huge mental challenge to translate what I see into correct hand movements. I'm also sure I hold some kind of record for being one of few students who've struck the patella over and over again trying to look for reflexes (poor guy 😳 ).

I also tend to make mistakes when under severe stress, just to add insult to injury.

Do you think there is hope for me going through and passing med school? Is there maybe some psychiatrist out there who can identify with me? What worked for you??
In my country, the system is like this: after med school I will have to do one "dog year" before psychiatry. This means working in the ER etc.
In one year I will have to choose where I'd like to do my clinical years. I have two options:

a) going to a smaller hospital where I will surely be exposed to more practical situations (fewer students per patient).
Pro: Maybe I will learn what I'm bad at. Easier to orientate in a smaller building (yes I'm serious, it's a big issue for me).
Cons: Smaller place where everyone knows each other, difficult not to stand out and more difficult to "hide" my utter incompetence in everything practical.

b) bigger hospital. Overcrowded with students. Will probably be able to more or less "hide" during surgery (oh the horror, the horror) and do the minimal.

But maybe the drawback will be that I won't get enough training to correct my clumsyness and maybe I will even fail med school entirely b/c of this? 😱

I know my post was a bit disoriented (English is not my mother tounge) but basically I have two questions:

A) Does anyone recognize what I'm describing or knows someone who is like me and what is the best way to go through and pass med school to be able to go into psychiatry?

B) What is the best overall strategy for me: to try not to expose my weak sides too much (avoiding as much of procedures as possible during rotations) or to throw myself into the fire as much as I can?


thanks in advance

 

[Shikima]

See a Psychiatrist?


Disclaimer: We don't engage in, diagnose nor treat mental health.

 

[NorweiganFjord]

Disclaimer: We don't engage in, diagnose nor treat mental health.[/SIZE]

I did not ask you to engage in mental health.
I did not ask you to diagnose me.
I did not ask you to treat me.
Actually, I'd rather you didn't.

I simply asked for advice on how to embark on a career as a psychiatrist.
I think you would have spared me your condescending remarks if I instead had said that I'm suffering from some physical illness. I'm saddened by your attitude, bro.

 

[Shikima]

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not eat them in the rain.
I will not eat them on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I will not eat them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them ANYWHERE!

I do not like
green eggs
and ham!

 

[NorweiganFjord]

And so you've bestowed me with both an insult and a funny Dr. Seuss quote.
For this I thank you, sir. I thank you from the btm of my heart.

Now, perhaps it is time to get back to reality, right my dear?

 

[gibits]

I can relate to your situation. I have been diagnosed with ADHD and somehow made it through med school. I had been off meds for about 6 years by the time I started med school, but in hindsight I think it might have been helpful.

If you are having a hard time focusing despite havin optimal study conditions then you should go see a psychiatrist.

As for where to work, go with the one that will give you the most learning opportunities. If you are afraid to look bad then you can do two things: 1) grew a thicker hide and 2) study your ass off. As a beginner, you will look bad. It's a given the attendings will pimp you until you miss a question. They are there to remind you to stay sharp, not to make you look dumb (that's just an added bonus). Study as much as you can and expose yourself to as much as possible.

 

[NorweiganFjord]

I can relate to your situation. I have been diagnosed with ADHD and somehow made it through med school. I had been off meds for about 6 years by the time I started med school, but in hindsight I think it might have been helpful.

If you are having a hard time focusing despite havin optimal study conditions then you should go see a psychiatrist.

As for where to work, go with the one that will give you the most learning opportunities. If you are afraid to look bad then you can do two things: 1) grew a thicker hide and 2) study your ass off. As a beginner, you will look bad. It's a given the attendings will pimp you until you miss a question. They are there to remind you to stay sharp, not to make you look dumb (that's just an added bonus). Study as much as you can and expose yourself to as much as possible.

Thanks for your answer!

I'm medicating (and I've been doing so for years). It keeps me sharp during the day, and is a great aid against impulsivity (ie don't interrupt people, let them finish their question) etc. It doesn't fix some issues though like lack of dexterity and absent-mindedness.

When you say I should go to the place where I get the most learning opportunities, do you mean in psychiatry or do you mean generally in med school? I am not really afraid of "looking bad" - the harshest judge will always be myself - it is more that I am afraid of this scenario:

1. Student makes sure he stands in the front row during every surgery rotation to get the most of the "learning opportunity".
2. Student shows his complete incompetence of everything practical.
3. Evil surgeon says "hey, this kid can't be allowed to pass. Somebody stop him!"
4. Smarter (?) student also interested in psychiatry stands in the back row giggling "look at them fools doing everything they can just to hold a forceps. I don't care about that, I will pass anyway and off I'll go to psych.

Well.... I hope that was a good illustration of how my (probably very naîve) thoughts are going.

Maye, I also should add that the system in my country is a little different. We don't have an individualistic society in the same way as in the US. We've had socialists in the goverment for so much of modern history. No one would "pimp" a student like is common in the US, it would reflect very badly upon the person doing so. It wouldn't be "good for the group".

 

[gibits]

It seems to me your problem isn't really lack of focus, but rather lack of confidence. There will always be people smarter than you, part of being a compotent doctor is to recognize your short comings. I would stand by my original advice and not be too sensitive about it.
Most rotations don't expect much out of you. They want to see you be a good scud monkey, to be a hard worker. Not to be an ace at everything.
If you are still having inattention issues even on meds then you may need them adjusted. I don't know what to say about your eye hand coordination but it maybe a motor tic. Another thing to consult with your doctor.