I've taken an antidepressant medication for 12 years, one little pill just about every day. It's been life altering. I've attempted approximately five times to get off of it and like clockwork my mood dips precipitously and dangerously low. Other than feeling mild annoyance at paying out of pocket for these pills, I have no daily side effects. Long term? Don't know that yet.
To get this medication I visit a psychiatrist, Dr. W, four times a year. I hesitate to say, "my psychiatrist," though she most certainly is, because my true therapeutic relationship is with my therapist who is an LCSW.
Today Dr. W and I had our most frank and satisfying talk yet.
I am toying with, as I have on and off for years with returning to school, for a music degree. Dr. W asked me if she could speak frankly. Yes. To paraphrase, she said, "Go get yourself trained in a health care profession, get a two year degree at a CC or state school - radiologist, phlebotomist, anything. Go make money. I think this country is sold a bill of goods when it comes to "following your passion" and "getting into the best school. You will always struggle if you go get a music degree." She expressed her frustration at how much school debt Americans take on. "Where you get a degree doesn't matter, what you do with your degree matters! Go get a solid health care job, which earns you money that you then use follow your passion. Healthcare is where you can earn good money. Though I like psychiatry, it isn't my passion. My family is my passion."
What she's said strikes a chord with me. Though I have some CC debt I have no school debt. I've seen my contemporaries and particularly my 80's born friends struggle under their debt load.
I feel that to earn a solid middle class living, I have to go back to school and in something that isn't my passion, something that is really difficult for ADHD folks.
Any thoughts or experiences folks would like to share?
I agree that your Dr. is offering very sound & common sense advice.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I've also found that I'm much more likely to apply myself in classes I truly find engaging or interesting. Those that I don't, I tend to start off well, then I end up self-defeating & failing. Maybe once I find the right medicine and/or therapeutic approach, that wouldn't be the case.
I'm the same way Yvonne. I start out really well out of the gate but am soon struggling with sleepiness and extreme boredom when studying. It's brutal. I would try different ADHD meds but I don't have health insurance. The thought of spending hours studying the minutia of radiology or phlebotomy makes my head spin in sadness and boredom.
ReplyDeleteThis following comment was emailed to me:
ReplyDeleteas for your question regarding money vs passion... I am in Pilot Point Alaska as City Manager... i HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT....
But it the best deal l have offered right now and am damn glad to have it.
Money is a wonderful thing..... poverty and dependence is a frigg'n cancer. I hate that worse than this tiny Alaskan outpost in the middle of frigg'n nowhere.
Oh,, did I mention they hate white people???? I trudge on.
I like the health care thing your psych suggested... Go for LPN.... you parachute in anywhere with that degree/license and BAM.. you have a job. Not a bad thing.... and you do an absolute good.. saving lives - or, at least assisting in saving them. General Chem.. Anatomy and Phys. Micro Bio.... you can do it.... I took Gen Chem THREE TIMES... aced it my third time.... Make it a grudge match... Attack it!!
Best to you
Agree with your Dr. Money gives you freedom to pursue your passion, but let your passion drive you professionally. It is important to at least do a degree in something you're interested in and have some love for because otherwise it's really difficult to see it through. I think few people LOVE their jobs, payment is the compensation, but at the same time you should at least like your job.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, this is just a quick note to let you know how much I've enjoyed reading your blog, this post was my fav! Looking forward to more.
Thank you Trina! Become a phlebotomist and radiologist isn't really an option for me. I have no passion for either. Too detail oriented; plus, I need something that involves high people interaction and teaching and/or performing.
ReplyDeleteMore essays to come!