With the go-go-go pace of medical school, taking stock of your mental health can be a challenge. In today’s post, medical student Shrishti Sahai offers useful tips on how to keep your mindset healthy while dealing with the stress of learning medicine.
Medical school is tough, and it takes a heavy toll on your mental health. I am sure there are many failures and many moments wherein you want to give up, wherein you are just exhausted from pushing yourself every day to reach those goals or to get those scores on that exam. I know I have had plenty of those days. So here are some things that became my crutch when I couldn’t walk—when I so wanted to give up.
Understanding what you are feeling
Loneliness. Anxiety. Depression. Accept that there is a problem. Sometimes you will find yourself alone trying to push through. Best friends become strangers, relationships crash and burn. Suddenly your feelings of jealousy start getting the better of you. Your relationships start fraying. There will be a lot of moments you find yourself alone.
Your friends might be scoring better than you without studying as much. They might be a favorite of one of your faculties.
You might start feeling that you are not up to the mark, that others are not finding it as hard as you are, that your best is only an average, that it is simply not possible to meet the deadlines for all those submissions, and worst: that you cannot make the grade even if you were to put in your best.
It is most important to accept that you are feeling lonely or anxious or diffident, which is slightly beyond the normal. The acceptance induces you to seek a solution. It is better to seek a solution well within time rather than wait to let it get worse. The cost may be high.
One important factor that should encourage you to accept there is a problem is that it is far too common a phenomenon, and you are not alone—by far you are just one amongst many. So, do not worry, and go after resolving the problem—however big or small it may seem.
It is extremely hard to have a balance; something always gives. In this whole chaos, it’s okay to make time for yourself and take a breather. We all need it from time to time.
Asking for help
If you have felt any of what I described above (which you most probably have), you need to know that it’s okay to ask for help. It’s hard to get by—be a little easy on yourself, and instead of just trying to do everything by yourself, acknowledge that you need an ear to listen to you or a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes you feel the people around won’t get it or even care.
Getting professional help can be a good idea. There is nothing like a person knowing how to tackle this for you. It’s not always about big issues; small things pile up and you find yourself crying in the bathroom at 4 AM—we’re trying to prevent this.
If you feel it’s not worth talking to a mental health professional, for whatever reason, why not visit your school guidance counselor.
We also have an excellent option to connect with online communities made specifically for situations like this—websites like 7cups, Betterhelp, BlahTherapy, and many more. Let me explain the way they work: They get you to talk to a random stranger from anywhere in the world…and that’s it! They are there for your venting and sometimes they can relate to you, having suffered similarly. You won’t meet them, and they might not even know your name or anything that you do not wish to share. Just talking to a stranger who might have faced a similar (or worse) situation can lighten things for you. It is as simple as that and as effective.
Making time for self-care
After getting all the help (and please do get it), in the end, you have to be self-sufficient and carry your own self. Will it be easy? No—but it is necessary. Do not think that once you’ve gotten on the track that you won’t fall off again. YOU WILL. Many times. But you’ll get up each time—sometimes reluctantly. It’s okay if you don’t reach those goals of yours. It’s okay if you don’t get 100% on that exam.
Have you ever asked a doctor how much they scored in their exams? Work hard and show it to your faculties. It’s the experience, it’s networking to the top. It’s getting good at it with practice and applying theoretical knowledge. It’s making sure you do good by a patient. Things fall into place. You just do YOU.
Take a break, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and stare out. Think about things other than medicine for a bit. Take a long walk with no destination in mind—maybe even grab some ice cream for the way. Sleep when you just can’t concentrate and are tired of studying. When was the last time you took a long hot shower and gave a live concert in the bathroom? Do that—you’ll feel better and refreshed. That amusement park you said you’ll go to “someday”… take time out from your weekend and go there.
There will always be something; you have to make sure you take the time out for your own self and pamper or indulge yourself from time to time. You might even end up making memories. That’s living life amidst the work.
About Shrishti Sahai
Shrishti is a 2nd-year medical student at DMSF, Philippines. This is written from the heart having survived depression. Aspiring to be an Oncologist. Loves the outdoors, hates COVID-19. Love’s trying new things, ice creams, cakes, and long walks. You won’t find her doing anything that involves heights due to her phobia.
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