Notes on depression

[jo.med]

Hello,

I would like to find out about the regulations for the fitness to practice as a doctor if you have suffered from relatively long periods of depression in the past - the long periods due to the person not realising he was suffering from depression.

Jo

[elz]

i dont know about depression and medicine specifically. but i believe as long as u can prove that your illness wont affect your patients you'll be alright. at interview i guess they would be likely to ask how you react to stress. maybe you could ring up admissions? let me know if u find out.

[aspirant doc]

I don't see why it should matter at all. Depression is a type of mental illness; we all get ill in our lives, there's no reason why it should affect this person's performance as a doctor. If anything, I'd imagine it would make this person a really empathic doctor. I sincerely hope it doesn't count against applicants.

[little_miss_phonics]

I know a student who has depression and they had to have a special meeting with the admssions people to persuade them to let her in. They did though and there hasnt been a problem so far but its early days.

I think it is a big issue if you want to be a doctor because a mentally unstable person isn't really fit to make the responsible decisions required every day in Medicine. It would also be difficult to keep up with the workload if it is affecting your life badly. Not trying to be morbid but doctors have a high suicide rate...if you are already prone to depression are you sure you will be able to cope?

Not saying a person with depression shouldn't be a doctor but I think it needs careful consideration by the applicant as well as the medical school.

[piella]

I read about an anorexic girl who wanted to do medicine. she fought to overcome the illness and went on to study. she said fighting anorexia made studying medicine seem easy. i think its the same with depression as long as you are aware of it and know how to cope with it should it rear its head again, then you are capable of studying medicine and being a doctor. when you apply it might be advisable to get your doctor to write a supporting statement. good luck

[j00ni]

It doesn't matter what disease you have or had as far as the GMC's fitness to practice guidelines go, as long as it does not impact on your ability to provide good medical practice.

In effect this means that if your depression is a past, non-recurring problem there is little problem. Even if it is likely to reoccur, as long as you are actively getting help, have your own doctors/gp, and are managing it so that it does not affect your professional life you should be ok.