Psychiatry has turned out to be quite interesting. I didn't think I was going to enjoy it as much as I have. So I'm thankful the last four weeks haven't dragged on as much as I thought they were going to. In many ways it has been an eye opening experience. The beds at the place I'm working are always full and they start each day by telling you how many people are sitting in the emergency department waiting to get in - the answer is always 'lots.'
In many ways psychiatry is also a bit frustrating. I can't tell you how many people I have seen who have cooked their minds with amphetamines and become psychotic. Tragically it always seems to be young men in their early twenties. But this is the world we live in I guess.
Kids, don't do drugs. Not even once.
Having said all of that, I'm pretty sure I'd be a terrible psychiatrist. I totally got suckered in by a person with a narcissistic personality. After talking with them I was under the impression they were having a rough time and needed some help. The doctors all had a good laugh at how easy I was manipulated down the caring pathway, when other treatments were probably more appropriate.
"It's the countertransferrence!" According to the intern. A fancy term for the emotional response the patient draws from you when the patient is acting like a jerk. "That's what give's it away." If you have some idea what you're doing I guess. The sagely advice I got given was:
"Always be cautious with a patient who attributes all of their problems to everybody else in their life."
Something to reflect on I guess.
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