will depression count against me???

[kamen]

I really need some advice...
I'm 25 years old and ever since leaving sixth form I have suffered on and off with depression. I have tried to complete a degree in biochemistry that I started after leaving school, but I've had to give it up 6 times because I just kept getting ill again.

I am now receiving help for my illness and am currently trying to plan for my future. I really want to get into medicine (always have done but my illness made me believe that I would never do it) but I'm concerned that even if I do get an interview, I will be questioned about what I have done since leaving school.

I feel like there is no good way of answering such a question. Will I have to tell them why I got depression? Will I have to admit to so many failed attempts to do a degree?

Has anyone else been through something similar?

[Emma18]

hey there

I am really sorry you sound like you have had a rough ride. Think positivly at least are are addressing the problem now, which is the main thing. I personally haven't been through it but my boyfriends brother who is now 25 has. He was awful and i mean to the pits, he recieved help and he is now studying a law degree like he always wanted too. When he finished his A levels he went in for law and dropped out, then he went in for a degree in music, and dropped out. They questioned him in his law interview about his depression and about why he is now 24 and wanting to go back for the second time for a law degree. He was totally honest with them and explained he is now back on track and determined to succeed, he also told them that you cant change the past and what has happened.

I beleive if you are determined enough you will get there, i have had my setbacks with serious ill health, i was off school in year 10 for a year, i had my appendix taken out on the same day of my As exams and i had to go back there for that, i have had meningitis and now i am suffering from pneumonia nd a small clot in the lung. Thats just to name a few. I am DETERMINED to succeed and i believe you are too. I wish you all the luck in the world

Take care
Emma xxx

[safa]

Hi Kamen! If i were in your place i would tell the uni why you went into depression and that you have somehow overcome your problem! Don't worry im sure they won't judge you on your past problems and as long as you say that your fight against your illness has made you stronger i really don't think it would be a problem! In fact if i were on the panel i would take you on because the fact that after going through so much you still want to study medicine shows the extent of your commitment.
Anyways good luck with your application

[safa]

Emma you are a real role model for us! Your motivation amazes me! I really hope that you succed with your application, u definitely deserve to!

[rachelm]

Originally Posted by kamen

Has anyone else been through something similar?

Yes! If you search through the forum for this topic you'll find it's been also discussed a lot in the past. One of the Admissions people popped up to say that depression is a matter for occupational health, not admissions (as with any other illnesses).

Without wishing to get on the "me too!" bandwagon, I've been through a similar thing and I'm planning to go to medschool (if they let me on!). I think if it's under control and you're dealing with it then it's the same as any other illness, I guess you just have to be honest and take the approach that Emma's boyf took.

Good luck

[anup]

Don't worry about it Kamen keep on fighting. And good on you Emma.

Kamen really don't worry about it, give it your best shot. We need more people like that studying medicine.

[fr.marcus]

Kamen: First, it's easy to say, but worrying about it won't improve your application: you can only do your best and try for it. There's no necessary reason why an application would fail on this ground: med schools do not discriminate against illness or disability - unless there's reason to believe that it would be an impediment to your studies, which is why it's a matter for occupational health. The important thing for the school is that you're being treated, recovering and that the depression can be expected to be cured / controlled. Causes of depression can be elusive: is it reactive (to external causes), endogenous (no obvious external cause) or both...? Don't feel obliged to be able to explain the 'cause'. Schools do talk of the need to be psychologically 'robust', due to intensive study, dealing with others' problems, death etc and the stress this can entail. This is a question you may want to ask of yourself, and if you believe that you have that robustness, having been treated, don't be discouraged!

Best wishes,

[ari21]

I suffered seriously with depression, ME and related ill health during my teens and was unable to sit most of my AS-level exams. However, I too got help and am now in the final year of my psych degree and applying for medicine which is what I have always wanted to do.

If asked in interview why I took my AS-levels late/ had to take a gap year/ why I didn't go straight for medicine I am going to be completely honest and explain that coming through it took determination and has made me stronger and more prepared for such an intense course. After all, I am the only person who really knows whether I am capable of completeing a medical degree; all I want is for someone to give me a chance to prove myself.

Kamen, if you believe you are ready to embark on a medical career then go for it. I don't think it should matter why you became depressed in the first place because that's personal to you. What does matter is that you are receiving help, which takes guts, and looking forward to the future.

Whatever you decide, good luck with everything xx

[ElizabethA]

When I went to the open day at St George's they advised that anyone with health problems contact their occupational health people and discussing the situation with them. That way, you would know if they were likely to object or not, and if it wasn't a problem it would save time when a conditional offer came through and you wouldn't be delayed in getting a confirmed place by lengthly occupational health investigations. It might be worthwhile ringing the admissions of the unis you're applying to and asking for the contact details of their occupational health teams.

I wish you all the best and hope you're able to get through it and that it doesn't block you from following your dream career.

x

[kamen]

Thanks to everybody for your comments. I think I really should focus on the positive side... that I'm coming through it. I'm also learning lots of strategies for dealing with stress so that can only go in my favour too!

I'm definitely going to speak to someone at occupational health about things.

Good Luck to everybody who has interviews n stuff xxx