Now that I am going to be starting my next degree...I really want to start working on my MD, I already have much knowledge in anatomy, chemistry because of some other classes that I took for my AS degree so taking these college level science courses wont be so bad, especially if I do some of the work online. Anyways, being a Psychiatrist I am sure that working with the mentally ill would be something I'll be good at, having the experience of growing up with a bunch of crazies and sadly having an old friend of mine who suffers from schizphrenia. But would it all be what I expect it to be when I finally finish the degree?? I dunno...dont have anything to lose except for more sleep and sanity!!!!:D

So with having to deal with ADD and other abnormal traits, if I ended up doing therapy work im sure the clients would really feel comfortable and maybe I could actually help these kids out there who feel they're going from "shrink to shrink":)

Not all psychiatrists do 'therapy'. (Psychotherapy (particularly 'Psycho-Analysis') training is usually gruelling and draining work.)

Many Psychiatrists have high rates of depression. Even in my own University hometown, some of the top psychiatrist were the psych ward's frequent flyers.

Just b/c you know are a cancer specialist doesn't mean you won't GET cancer. Same with psychiatric.

My partner does a lot of forensic and consent/capacity assessment. I think that's better than being a therapist.

I'd pick that (doing assessment work), or doing patient psychoeducation, over doing psychotherapy.

Not all psychiatrists do 'therapy'. (Psychotherapy (particularly 'Psycho-Analysis') training is usually gruelling and draining work.)

Many Psychiatrists have high rates of depression. Even in my own University hometown, some of the top psychiatrist were the psych ward's frequent flyers.

Just b/c you know are a cancer specialist doesn't mean you won't GET cancer. Same with psychiatric.

My partner does a lot of forensic and consent/capacity assessment. I think that's better than being a therapist.

I'd pick that (doing assessment work), or doing patient psychoeducation, over doing psychotherapy.
Yes I know im "crusing for a brusin" with the type of work that im going to have to go through. But I want to work with the mentally disturbed or do research in the field of Neuroscience...So only time will tell:)

Due to a severe shortage of psychiatrists, even a bad one still makes lots of money and can live wherever they want to on the planet.

There is a shortage of Psychiatrists? That explains why none of them call me back for a new patient appt.

To respond to the original thread---the guy who wrote Driven to Distraction and its sequel is a Psychiatrist--if I recall correctly. (I'm too lazy to go look it up.)

Go for it!

Hey, you're already going through it--you have a unique perspective a non-ADD Psych won't have.

I've agreed with my wife many times that SOME medical professionals would be much more compassionate if they underwent the procedures themselves. (How many old cranky nurses would like it if you came in and woke them up every 2 hours and started poking and prodding stuff like they were a piece of meat in the butcher shop?)

I don't know where you live, Fighting Boredom, to say if there is a shortage in your area?

In Canada here we have a terrible doctor shortage -- and the Doctor's Union (OMA, or Ontario Medical Association, in my province) blocks efforts & education to let NPs and other professionals fill in.

We have people dying all the time due to the shortage of MDs. (e.g. family doctors; psychiatrists, etc)

Twenty percent of the residents in my HOmetown do not have a Family Physican. Upwards of 50% of new med skewl grads go to the USA. :(

The implications of delays in getting Primary Care are profound, too.

At this moment: I know a homeless, mentally impaired guy right now who is going blind b/c of Thyroid poisoning (hyperthyroidism; thyroid storm, etc), for example...he needs (needed) something like 'assertive community treatment' to make sure he got care. Hard to have a phone or address or contact method when one is homeless. (Public Health systems have learned this lesson from the people walking around with TB who don't take their pills.)

An NP with a Masters in Psychiatric Nursing could do almost as much (85%) of what a Psychiatrist or MD does. (Maybe not ECT, and stuff, but who cares.)

QueensU, That's incredible!

I live in the US and the general complaint here is about the price of meds and how it's so much cheaper to get them from Canada...at least it's an issue for the elderly and anyone without medical insurance. (been there, done that, bought my meds from Canada. :rolleyes: )

It just boggles my mind. :faint:

It seems to me that instead of spreading armies around the world we could get a lot more done spreading medical teams...and maybe have fewer people wanting to blow us off the map. :soapbox:

It seems to me that instead of spreading armies around the world we could get a lot more done spreading medical teams...and maybe have fewer people wanting to blow us off the map. :soapbox:I'll vote for that!
An article in our local newspaper referred to residents who do not have a regular doctor as "orphan patients". I've forgotten what percent of our city's patients are orphans.

their's a bright future in psychiatry, mental health issues are on the rise. If that's your interest(love), do it.

I am not going to pretend I know much about the feild of psychiatry, but I say with the passion you have for it now, just go for it! Don't look back!! Take the dream and run with it!!!

By pursing an education/career in this field not only will I be able to help others who are suffering but I can improve my ability to stay on track as well. Its not easy as you all know being someone with a personality type that feels as if it causes more harm than good to ones life.

Remember though I am not completly out of the "wood works" there is so much i've been able to get a hold of in my personal life as far as having ADD and overcoming depression and drug abuse in my past and I know there will be plenty more "screwups" that i'll have to take responsibility for. But remember, theres always a way to beat the odds so as long as you can learn how to change your habits or "processes" the more empowered you'll be. Also i've come to realize a little bit of "pain" is necessary to have as it keeps a person from indulging completly into complacentcy.:)

Self Observation is key and also having a VERY honest and patient friend who can keep you "in check" if needed:p

i will have my bachelor's of science in psychology in two months!! it took 8 years to finish college, and haven't even applied to grad/professional school yet. but love psychology/psychiatry. people either love it or hate it.

I'm working on a bachelor's in Psychology as well... I love it.

I'm hoping to eventually get a Ph.D in Developmental Psychology. I try to use my ADD to my advantage while working with kids... my "insanity" can be quite entertaining ;)

I'm working on a bachelor's in Psychology as well... I love it.

I'm hoping to eventually get a Ph.D in Developmental Psychology. I try to use my ADD to my advantage while working with kids... my "insanity" can be quite entertaining ;)
Your "insanity"???....if I had a dollar for every time somone said to me "youre freaking twisted"..." youre *ucked up" e.t.c....I would be a millionare right about now;)

It's funny. It seems that, well at least for me, my interests were accelerated by my own "experience" in the field. Through being diagnosed with Depression, ADHD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), I've learned a lot about disorders, drugs, the brain, medicine, and the body in big part through my own research. I've just finished my first year of college. So far, my major is psychology...I changed it from political science.

It's a really interesting subject, that is practical and useful. I wonder how many psychologists or psychiatrists have had a psychological disorder and have been treated for one.

If you really like it, and think that you would be happy being a psychiatrist, you should go for it, lychweake.


eric

Good luck, make sure you're going into this field for the right reason, and not because you arounnd many people that you think are crazy. as you put it...

I take the bus, and you need to see those people, there are alot of ppl in society that are everywhere and they are on the streets, the busses. You need to get involved in a intership within the field you want to work with for the experience. You need to make sure you are in the right area of the medical field.

Hi lychweake,

It's great to hear you have such enthusiasm for pursuing a career in psychiatry! I'm sure that you will have a unique perspective in relating to patients that will likely make you a much more effective psychiatrist/counselor/ or researcher. Are you currently a student?

Also, I think auntchris's advice about testing your interest in the field through work/shadowing/volunteering is sound, although it may be a little more difficult to shadow during psych consults due to patient confidentiality. Regardless, at least here in the States the cost of graduate medical training often exceeds $200K. Just make sure medicine is the right choice! Although I'm still a student, I can say with confidence that despite the stress and sacrifice, a career in medicine can be immensely rewarding!

Best of luck! PM if you ever have any questions!

-Umami