Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
This is coming straight from the DS ladies mouth (errr fingers?)
to become a psychiatrist you have to do 4 years of medical school then 3-4 years of psychiatry residency
To become a psychologist...you get a graduate degree separate from medical school but a psychiatrist is 4 years of med school (+) residency
Yes folks, I have my work cut out for me....
to become a psychiatrist you have to do 4 years of medical school then 3-4 years of psychiatry residency
To become a psychologist...you get a graduate degree separate from medical school but a psychiatrist is 4 years of med school (+) residency
Yes folks, I have my work cut out for me....
deleted_user
Well good luck to you! It'll be a lot of work but well worth it I am sure!
deleted_user
yah, and dont forget the gazillion supervised hours you have to have before you can become a licensed therapist. When all is said and done, both take the same amount of time. However, they do very different work. You could choose to go the MA route, but you would have some limitations on who you could treat and what you could charge.
deleted_user
You don't have to be a psychiatrist to help people & give back, Chuggs...You also need top factor in the inevitable setbacks & complications of having bipolar.being extra-susceptible to stress etc...getting manic during exams & whatnot. & and psychiatrist need be able to keep their own struggles separate also. I know of a BP1 psychiatrist in my city who was unable to continue practicing as she became manic/delusional while treating patients & it got very messy. Ok, I'm pissing on yr parade- do think it's good to have dreams & aspirations- but not 'all or nothing'- if it doesn't work out- there are compromises that can be made *shrug*
Chuggernaught
lol no worries Lou.. I have had all of those issues on my mind, and they say the first step to prevention is awareness right ( or is that to recovery?) well regardless, I am going for both that and Therapy, remember, so if I fail to live up to the stress of Pdocery then I can at least be a therapist.
deleted_user
I have a friend whose father is a highly respected child psychiatrist and is bipolar 1. I asked my pdoc, who knows and respects him, how he can do it and his response was that perhaps he is more sensitive to the needs of patients where other pdocs might not be. And these words were coming from a "heavy hitter" pdoc in this country Chuggs. So, it's not a such an uncommon thing for a pdoc to be bipolar and be brilliant and respected at what they do. Just FYI.
starfish
Chuggs, I have had a boat load full of meeting with counselors, therapists, psychologist, psychiatrist, and to tell you the truth, most of them were minimally helpful... but when you know the issues from the inside out, you will be able to reach those like me, who hide in mistrust and shame, and can't find the help they need.
starfish
PS -- one of the most helpful and most beneficial, was a woman who had the same problem I have....she did not have a psych. degree and did not work for anyone. she did have a degree in education, though. So if you manage to be able to take your own experience to the highest level, more power to you. But like lou said, it's OK if you don't, and you can still be very effective at helping people.
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