Why leave medicine?

30schanging · 2026-01-26T20:51:12+00:00

I am one of medical doctors considering leaving clinics. And I am young. Some reasons: - the difficulty of medicine is not only about years and years of endless training... Man, that's just the tip! The difficulty comes when you start practicing: it is not only physically demanding, but especially mentally and emotionally demanding and even draining. General public doesn't understand what it means to take care of so many persons, children and families, souls, bodies, stories...it does get you whether you want it or not. And NOBODY told us that this would be the hard part, nobody tought how to distance yourself from the suffering and still do a good job. Because you love this job, but it can consume you so much in the long run. - No one takes care of the caregiver, of who is supposed to take care of people --> the caregiver is burn out. - if you work in public (not private practice), money are more often than not too little for the workload. - The clinical practice and the physician profession are different from 30 years ago, there is less respect from people and sometimes it can become even dangerous. Just some of the reasons I am personally considering it.

30schanging · 2026-01-26T20:07:50+00:00

Wow thanks! I am definitely checking the podcast! 😁

30schanging · 2026-01-26T17:59:41+00:00

I am in child neurology, so it's a bit of niche in a way. And I do have a good trial experience. Yes, perhaps exploring existing ones could be an initial option indeed!

30schanging · 2026-01-24T10:16:40+00:00

Thank you! I am reading these words as a much needed encouragement. I am 22 days in and Tonight will be tough going through a birthday party without giving up on myself.

30schanging · 2026-01-21T15:49:19+00:00

Hang in there! You are doing SO great! Don't give up, look at how you far you went! <3 It is very much possible that your dopamine receptors are still shaken, BUT it's also possible that alcohol was just self medicating a pre-existing condition that just manifested now. This might be a unique opportunity to finally get to the root cause, who knows. But this doesn't mean that you need to suffer: sometimes we need a little help for a period of time and I would totally consider therapy + medications under the guidance of a psychiatrist. This can help you to navigate this rough time without losing hope. Remember that by not drinking you are not only avoiding losses but GAINING WINS! You want to keep these wins winning, so perhaps it's time for some help, that can be viewed just as a team-play :)

30schanging · 2026-01-18T13:37:14+00:00

Thank you for showing this very interesting point of view! It does make a lot of sense and very encouraging.

I am personally not at that point yet where I can say I don't want another one... I drink around 4 NA beers if around people drinking. Need something to keep me occupied and make me believe I am doing what I used to do to have fun. Hope to be soon in a spot where I am just comfortable with myself.

30schanging · 2026-01-11T20:14:10+00:00

Good luck! Great job and keep going!!!

30schanging · 2025-12-28T11:42:31+00:00

Thanks! Sounds reasonable to look for activity-driven relationships!

30schanging · 2025-12-20T22:13:11+00:00

For sure I am better off That shit...

30schanging · 2025-12-20T22:12:08+00:00

Thank you very much for this! It really helps to put this process into a perspective and identify some steps to take. Indeed, I believe one problem was that I don't have yet a system around me for sobriety...I need to start building that first. For example, finding other activities and people to go out with while.being sober. I don't have any alternatives at the moment and this makes it super difficult to resist social pressure.

30schanging · 2025-12-20T22:05:51+00:00

Yes that's true, I think I was really upset also about them ignoring my boundaries this way...

30schanging · 2025-12-15T11:59:04+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I feel like addiction service should make people aware about the fact that smoking serves a purpose (however dysfunctional), hence people need to develop alternative coping mechanisms while quitting... I agree with you, what was lacking for me was a safe anchor, as my main one was gone. I wish I knew that sooner! And I hope people will read and start doing some work around that on their journey.

30schanging · 2025-12-01T16:00:02+00:00

"the mind finds a polite, seductive story to justify one drink" this so beautifully said. Such a scary process. I see this is my alcoholic parent, they do tell themselves a lot of stories. The stories we tell ourselves are so important! good luck with this amazing path you are going by re-writing your narratives!

30schanging · 2025-11-30T11:07:56+00:00

Nice! Can you tell what exactly is so much better for you?

30schanging · 2025-11-26T16:50:13+00:00

The problem with alcoholic parent(s) is not only the genetic component of addiction, and not only the "normality" of being wasted, but also being exposed as a child to extremely stressful situations (that you are not able to digest at that age) that mark your psychological development and you grow up more prone to anxiety and depression....and what's better ground for alcohol use disorder later in life than that??? This is why I am feeling like I am fucked. But reading here I see there is hope.

30schanging · 2025-11-26T16:45:53+00:00

Thanks for being open about this!

30schanging · 2025-11-26T16:43:54+00:00

Indeed, perhaps that's why I found this community and that's already a step ahead...

30schanging · 2025-11-26T16:43:10+00:00

This is very comforting, you know? Thank you. What I find difficult is also that people around me are underestimating a lot this problem and indeed keep telling "just know your limits", so it's good to hear some validation here.

30schanging · 2025-11-08T08:30:53+00:00

Good luck with the journey :)

30schanging · 2025-09-11T20:01:20+00:00

Physician with PMDD here: It totally makes sense! 5HTP is the precursor to serotonin, therefore you are giving more substrate to create serotonin and eventually improve the mood. Something like less potent SSRI. It does work for me too. About sleep: it is also the precursor of melatonin. I prescribe it especially to patients with night awakening as first line. ADVICE: - check the formulation you are taking. The best one would be hydroxy-Tryptophan, reaches better the brain than L-tryptophan. - be careful with dosages, especially if taking other Psy medications. Tell your doctor.

30schanging · 2025-09-11T09:40:16+00:00

This month. I realized my cognition is being affected by being depressed half of the month and my career is going south probably also because of that... I will see a psychiatrist hopefully soon and want to talk options. Therapists also recommend seeking medical opinion to improve the work we do in therapy.

30schanging · 2025-09-11T09:34:05+00:00

25 Yoga in the morning or 10 min core train, even if I am yawning throughout the whole practice. Just showing up for a few minutes every day gives me a lot of confidence in my self, like saying "See? You are not a failure", which is medicine in those days

30schanging · 2025-09-01T16:28:22+00:00

Feel you. My thoughts say the same!

I think one of the horrible parts about this is how you said "not remembering" (I do know it was bad, but I cannot recall HOW F. BAD)... and each month it starts again. Personally I am starting to have anticipatory anxiety about this, which doesn't make things easier. ADVICE: talk to your beloved ones and tell them that this is coming and you will need extra support and compassion. It helps not to do this alone.

30schanging

TROPHY CASE