I've applied to both psych and neuro...I cannot for the life of me decide.
This is taking its toll on me as far as my peace-of-mind and arranging my ROL...I don't think I will rank contiguously. Did anyone else go through this same debate? I found an old thread, but in light of more recent legislative changes impacting either field or lifestyle or opportunity changes, any new input? Anyone else go through this?
As a residency, psych programs appear less intense overall, but I don't want that to tempt me when I should be thinking long-term. I don't plan on doing a fellowship in either field. In psych, I'm not a huge fan of psychotherapy and social work. In neuro, I'm not a huge fan of stroke/ICU/hospitalist work/greater liability. In either, I would be a general clinician.
Overall, I find neuro slightly more satisfying, but my psych programs are in more desirable locations for long-term settling down and closer to family.
Climate and family are what would make me happy as a resident. I'm lost.
Oooh, I totally connect with this. I was considering psych vs. neuro for my entire medical education and only decided a few months ago to apply in psychiatry. I even went to the AAN conference this past year, and my research projects in med school have been in the neurology department. Because of my research and the LOR I got from a neurologist, who was not entirely happy I chose psych, I've had to answer the question of "why psych and not neuro?" a lot this interview season. What I've answered was the following: for the most part, the diseases in psychiatry and neurology are equally interesting to me. I really like the brain, and both treat brain disorders. However, I found I had less interest in spinal problems and peripheral nerve problem than brain problems. I also found that, within neurology, I was most drawn to the psychiatric (mood, cognition) manifestations of neurological disorders, and less interested in the physical effects like weakness. I also have been a counselor of one kind or another for years, since high school. I would have been a great therapist, and it was something I considered doing instead of medical school. Being a psychiatrist would let me be a medical doctor dealing with the issues I've been most drawn to, and do therapy.
Was this the right decision? Who knows. I still debate it. As a neurologist, I wouldn't have to deal with the "you're not going to be a real doctor" crap that psychiatrists put up with, nor would I be giving up the opportunity to do the neuro exam (which I love) regularly and do some physical interventions. Neurology doesn't have an entire religion (Scientology, fyi) calling their field evil and trying to take them down, nor are there many people who hate the field of neurology in the way some people have passionate negative feelings about psychiatrists and psychiatry. There is a LOT of stigma around psychiatric illness, both for those who suffer from it and those who treat it. Neurologists also get paid more.
What it comes down to is, I'll love psychiatry and I'll be good at it. I probably would have also loved neurology and been good at that too, but I think I would have had more regrets and "what if's" on my mind had I gone into neurology and missed doing therapy and advocacy for sufferers of mental illness than I will have going into psychiatry and missing doing lumbar punctures, DBS adjustment, or botox injections.
Ah, one other thing: When I was at the AAN conference in Toronto this past April, I talked to a LOT of neurologists about their career choice, and how they picked neurology over psychiatry if they considered both. The reasons they had for picking neurology often did not apply to me, and that was telling. Some said they didn't like the uncertainty in psychiatry, which excites me more than bothers me. Others said they didn't like talking to patients for long periods of time or dealing with emotional baggage, which didn't apply to me. Still others said they wanted to do procedures, towards which I have no particular attraction. In the end, it seemed that most reasons people had for not going into psychiatry were reasons that didn't apply to me . . . and so I ultimately chose psychiatry.
Good luck with your decision. I hope you are happy with whichever field you end up pursuing.