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View Full Version : Studying the mind when you have anxiety: Beneficial or disastrous?



FordingTheWaters
03-05-2013, 10:05 PM
I'm studying at university and I study Psychology, I'm particularly interested in neuroscience, and have entertained the notion of possibly becoming a psychiatrist or a sleep specialist. I've been told by people who know the problems I have that "becoming a doctor is not a good way to try to cure yourself"

...ignorant ignorant ignorant. They don't realise that self-treatment and/or medication is nearly impossible these days with the overbearing regulations placed on the medical field, and that nobody with any bit of ethics or knowledge or how medicine actually works would attempt something so irresponsible.

But anyway, I have noticed that learning about the brain has given me the ability to...analyze my mental feelings even more deeply. Has becoming a neuroscience enthusiast proven a big mistake for me? The human mind is not like a world, it's like a myriad of worlds that we'll never really understand.

On a side note: The only comfort I've gotten from it thus far is being able to tell peolpe who say "my brain hurts!" that such is impossible...the brain has no nerves. Psychologists have literally poked the brain and observed motor reactions from subjects to have a better understanding of brain lateralization and function. It never involved any pain.

mellymel
03-05-2013, 10:12 PM
I think it could go either way. I have a BA in psych and it did more harm then good for me. I think it depends on the person and how they perceive the knowledge.

FordingTheWaters
03-05-2013, 10:37 PM
I think it could go either way. I have a BA in psych and it did more harm then good for me. I think it depends on the person and how they perceive the knowledge.

The thing is that two years ago I would study all this in depth with no fear. Sure, I've always had panic attacks but they would never progress to where they are now.

I used to read psych journals while listening to crazy music like Pink Floyd. I almost liked the stimulation it gave me. I can't imagine myself doing something like that now and may never be able to again. So many things I once enjoyed make me anxious now.

mellymel
03-05-2013, 11:07 PM
I know exactly what you mean. I'm the same way. I have this absurd fear of losing my mind ( psychosis, particularly schizophrenia) and getting on such a deep level with all those journals ands research scares me now. but I used to enjoy that stuff before I had all these strange thoughts and fears. I cannot read or watch certain things without my mind latching onto it. My entire career path has shifted and I'm not even sure what to do with my degree now.