Psychiatry Personal Statement

“Can you please remove my ear drums for few hours, I do not want to hear these voices anymore.” This was the response a patient on my psychiatry rotation gave when asked about her goal for her hospitalization and it initiated my intrigue in the field. From an early age, I always had a endless curiosity about people; why we do what we do, and the circumstances that cause us to be who we are. Over the years, my interest in the subject merged with my passion for helping others, particularly those with mental health issues, who are are disproportionately underprivileged. Moreover, those same disadvantaged people are more likely to experience worsening of their condition as a result of their limited access to mental health resources. This snowball effect is a huge concern for me and is a huge driving force for my dedication to this discipline. …show more content…
It troubled me when staff punished him by bringing security for acting out without first attempting to facilitate his ability to comprehend and communicate. I can see that his wife and mom were getting frustrated by the situation. I spent a lot of time patiently sitting with him, hoping to learn more about him. Despite his outbursts and erratic behavior, I never got frustrated or gave up. I matched his outbursts with soothing words as I tried to calm him and ascertain what he was struggling to convey. This proved to be an effective strategy as he eventually began to communicate with me and established a level of trust. His outbursts did not not totally cease but dramatically decreased. As the days progressed, he felt more comfortable and would participate in unit activities and was able to communicate his thoughts. This had to be the most rewarding aspect of the entire rotation because it taught me that effectiveness of rapport-building and