I wannabe a psychiatrist!

**Victoria09** · 13-09-2007, 06:23 PM

Hi everyone,

I really want to go into psychiatry, but I'm not even in med school yet.
My question is- how many of you who are already psychiatrists knew you wanted to do it before you went to med school? Are you enjoying it? Is it a good idea to mention this interest in a UCAS statement/med school interview? Or do you think they'd perceive your interests as too 'narrow' if you express that much interest in psychiatry at such an early stage? Wow... loads of questions.

**MollyMouse** · 13-09-2007, 07:06 PM

Hey, I'm not a psychiatrist but also have a strong interest in psychiatry ... my opinion is that you could definitely mention being interested in it on your personal statement as long as you provide insightful reasons why & relate it more generally to why you're motivated to pursue a medical degree, your personal qualities etc.

I think many of us go into medicine with at least one idea of what kind of doctor we'd like to become one day. Obviously we will get to see SO many areas of medicine we aren't even aware of yet - it'll be interesting to see if there are any psychiatrists out there who knew they wanted to go into psychiatry from the outset.

**!PsyChirurgus!** · 14-09-2007, 01:38 AM

Hey, I'll be applying for Medicine next year with a sole intention of becoming a Consultant Psychiatrist working in South London and Maudsley NHS Hospital one day (preferably in the Child & Adolescent area)...like Raj Persaud.

I'm passionate about the medical/biological perspective in Psychology & I quite like the idea of prescribing antipsychotic drugs to treat mentally-diseased patients. I hope to do a BSc Intercalated degree in Neuroscience & Neuropsychology as well. So yeah, I'm one of them people who already have a set goal to achieve before I even get into a medical school. I'm not narrow minded as I've already considered all medical specialisms available by looking at the job descriptions, asked different kinds of doctors & kind of topics covered before deciding. So this will be like a no-one-can-stop-me-now sort of thing lol.

I will put on my PS that I want to be a psychiatrist as this really interests me. I've got to be honest hey. The UK is crying out for Psychiatrists sub-specialising in the Child and Adolescent group.

That could mean I have a bright future ahead of me...let's hope lol. Sorry, I'm just being optimistic.

Good luck with your application!

**Victoria09** · 15-09-2007, 03:10 PM

Hey... thanks for your views! 80s love child- I want to work at the Maudsley too- it's also my local! I saw Dr Raj in the street once.
Anyone else? This forum doesn't seem to be that popular

**MollyMouse** · 15-09-2007, 05:18 PM

Dr Raj, my hero! Have you guys read any of his books?

**NorthernLight** · 15-09-2007, 05:29 PM

I've always thought I would be interested in Psychiatry . . . we're just into an eight week Neurology/Psychiatry block so I'll soon find out if I'm right . . .

**Victoria09** · 15-09-2007, 06:33 PM

Molly Mouse- I've only read his book 'The Motivated Mind'- which I thought struck a good balance between being factual/research based and popular self-help.

Northern Light- tell us how it goes! I'll be interested to hear all about it.

**Lucie1983** · 26-11-2007, 07:55 PM

Guys i spent 2 weeks in SLAM child in patient unit for my work experience and have been offered a job there until my course starts- (if i get in). unfortunately they don't pay enough to support workers (who are angels from heaven) but i loved it there... absolutely amazing place.

**Buckets-and-Spades** · 08-03-2008, 01:15 AM

Yeah I do too! It's my dream job!

Told that to one of my interviewers at a uni interview, who gave me a rather disapproving look and said it was not a 'very glamourous' career! (he must have been a surgeon, lol)

**Britney** · 10-01-2009, 06:10 PM

I would love to do psychiatry..im in my second year of my nursing degree and I havent found my niche!

Yet, every time I go on the Royal College of Psychiatrists website, I stumble upon something that makes my heart skip!..

How sad am I?

Still got a little while before I can go to medical school, but here hoping..x