Hi, I’m Jamar.
I’m extremely happy to have listened to Dr. Ryan’s “OldPreMeds” podcast over the past week and his various other medical focused podcasts. They do truly shed light in the shadowy areas.
I currently work for a large manufacturing corporation in Pittsburgh, PA working as an application developer and operations analyst. I was hired for this position just before I received my graduate degree in information systems and started working here just after graduation. It’s been 4 years for me working here and it’s taken 4 years for me, at the age of 28 now, to understand this field is not for me. I am almost always miserable here. I dread coming into work. When I’m here, I procrastinate, surf the web, and daydream about leaving (quitting) on the spot.
I feel like I followed this career path by default and not necessarily by choice due to some circumstances involving transferring school to play sports and changing majors around so that all my credit transferred with me to keep me eligible. However, I grew with a strong interest in sports and music as well as science and engineering.
Along the way, and about 2 years after graduation, I was diagnosed with depression. It was told to me that it doesn’t seem to be event related entirely and that I should seek counseling coupled with medication. I’ve been on and off with therapy for the past year and just started medication a couple of months ago. My experience with depression has been a rollercoaster. I’ve been interested and uninterested shortly after and a number of pursuits. However, medicine has been one that has not faded away. For as long as I can remember, my instinct has always been to help others, and it’s something that grants me great satisfaction. I volunteer often with a camp for grieving children and am a mentor for student-athletes in high school that needs help getting into college. And because of the depression as well as my background in sports, I’ve become interested in sports medicine (surgeon) and sports psychology.
Now, I’m tired of putting this off and going back and forth. I want to make a choice and pursue medicine. I don’t have most of the sciences needed, so I’ve already taken the step to enroll in the post-baccalaureate program at the University of Pittsburgh. I’ve been accepted. The science I did take in the past was 10 years ago and it was only general chem with a C+. I will be retaking this. I also completed Calc 2 with a B. I’m not sure if that matters much. I’ve read through this forum and others. I’ve explored the AAMC website. I looked at my local university’s premed program and medical school program. I’ve spoken to my surgeons that performed my surgeries to repair football injuries. I did all this in the last year.
I’m not the smartest person, but when I do want something, I am very hard working. I graduated with my master’s degree with a 3.3 GPA. I achieved that while playing football and working 3 jobs. Now that I’m much older, with one full-time job and no sports, I feel that I can pursue this path the right way. I don’t have kids and I’m not married.
My question is, being a person that suffers from depression, is this possible? I haven’t felt this inspired in my life in over 5 years. Does anyone know or has gone through med school successfully with depression? Should I quit my full-time job to take on more courses in the post-bacc program to get the most out of my time? Do you think leaving my job and finding something in healthcare that’s part-time would be better?
Thanks for any advice or even study tips!!!
Depression is completely manageable. That you’ve done as much as you have without treatment tells me your outlook is fantastic. The frustrating thing will be finding a medication that works. Advocate for yourself with your medication provider to make sure your medication is working. There are a lot of medication options, and if what you’re on isn’t working, say something.
On a nonmedication end, build up your social supports, create structure in your days, and make sure you are sleeping well and exercising.
In terms of pursuing a professional program, MDs tend to do better than JDs from a mental health standpoint with the stressors the program places on individuals. It will take effort, but depression is not a deal breaker for accomplishing your goals.
Hopefully, a change in environment and situation would alleviate a lot of your symptoms. Certainly better than continuing to do something you hate. I’d say, take the risk and find what makes you happy. 
Good luck, Jamar!
I am sure that a lot of med school students have struggled with depression, it is high stress and people who pursue this route are prone to perfectionism which is a double-edged sword. Students in MD programs often have access to student health services if they are at a university. These services usually include counseling and psychological services. Some schools have specific counseling services for MD students. I would look into this as you consider schools.
As for your question about quitting your job to take courses full time, it depends on your timeline. What cycle do you want to apply for? You need to be finishing up courses around then. How long do you want to wait to apply? Not working or working less will add financial stresses to your situation, if that is an issue for you. Are there advisers at the post-bac program? You should see if they can help you sort out what the best option is. Best of luck!
Also, check out The Short Coat podcast-- they just did an episode on mental health in medical school! http://theshortcoat.com