I am sorry, but I am not someone great like Dr.Stephen Hawking. I cannot overcome my disability. Let alone help others overcome theirs. I can't do it. I am a failure and I always will be one. Sorry, everyone.

[USMCBIPOLAR7]

I have gotten two degrees and worked in the psych field for 25 years trying to overcome my Bipolar condition. Instead I am now 100% disabled by the military and social security. But I helped 1000s along the way so at least we try it’s better than giving up.

[IrisBloom]

Don't give up on your dreams. Even if you can't achieve them now does not mean you never will.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you're hurting so much, TheLonelyChemist Please don't give up. I don't think you need to give up your dreams. Perhaps you're judging yourself by standards that are a bit too high? I'm not saying that you can't reach out those standards. But perhaps you should take it one step at the time. Otherwise it will all just be too overwhelming for you. I'm sure you'll be able to achieve great things. Please don't give up. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all of this

Don’t give up. It’s ok to feel like you want to. Give yourself a break for a few days but don’t give up.

[Sunflower123]

Don’t give up! You are so far from a failure! I was just thinking the other day how much moxie you have. If anyone can make it....you can. I value your friendship very much.

Originally Posted by USMCBIPOLAR7

I have gotten two degrees and worked in the psych field for 25 years trying to overcome my Bipolar condition. Instead I am now 100% disabled by the military and social security. But I helped 1000s along the way so at least we try it’s better than giving up.

Thank you for your input. I am sorry you had to go through that... I know, how hard it is, even to live with MI and even worse when no one supports you.

Originally Posted by IrisBloom

Don't give up on your dreams. Even if you can't achieve them now does not mean you never will.

I am a very calculating person... but as my professors told me, "Adapt, like Carbon atoms"

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

I'm so sorry you're hurting so much, TheLonelyChemist Please don't give up. I don't think you need to give up your dreams. Perhaps you're judging yourself by standards that are a bit too high? I'm not saying that you can't reach out those standards. But perhaps you should take it one step at the time. Otherwise it will all just be too overwhelming for you. I'm sure you'll be able to achieve great things. Please don't give up. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all of this

Thank you for your supportive input Mickey!

Originally Posted by Sisabel

Don’t give up. It’s ok to feel like you want to. Give yourself a break for a few days but don’t give up.

I'll try Sisabel. Without research on medicine, I don't think I'll be alive or have a career that I am passionate about anyway.

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

Don’t give up! You are so far from a failure! I was just thinking the other day how much moxie you have. If anyone can make it....you can. I value your friendship very much.

Thank you Jennifer. I try my best to stay positive in the face of difficult things but it gets rough sometimes, especially battling your own mind. Bless you.

[roske1]

Originally Posted by TheLonelyChemist

Thank you Jennifer. I try my best to stay positive in the face of difficult things but it gets rough sometimes, especially battling your own mind. Bless you.

LonelyChemist - I'm a scientist also (physicist). When I'm in an episode (like now, 18 months!) I realize what's more important than success in my career. It's success as a person. A good, caring person, one who is connected to others, one who has empathy for others. I wish I could remember that more when I'm doing well, but I'm more caught up in my own selfish agenda. It's unfortunate that it takes being knocked of my butt to realize that, but all I can do is try to remember what my priorities should *really* be when I get better.

Sorry, I didn't mean to turn this into being about myself at the end, but I thought that it just maybe might be of some help to you.

Originally Posted by roske1

LonelyChemist - I'm a scientist also (physicist). When I'm in an episode (like now, 18 months!) I realize what's more important than success in my career. It's success as a person. A good, caring person, one who is connected to others, one who has empathy for others. I wish I could remember that more when I'm doing well, but I'm more caught up in my own selfish agenda. It's unfortunate that it takes being knocked of my butt to realize that, but all I can do is try to remember what my priorities should *really* be when I get better.

Sorry, I didn't mean to turn this into being about myself at the end, but I thought that it just maybe might be of some help to you.

On no, Roske. You did not make this thread go off topic. I always welcome intellectual and logical discussions.

My story is a very peculiar and baffling one from a scientific perspective. I have went through a lot and my parents are asocial but I am a very social and caring person. I want to become scientist mainly due to the fact I want to cure disease and help people live a better life. I always wanted to be a medical doctor because my childhood experiences taught me one thing - Having a physical illness (I used to get ill a lot, A LOT, when I was a child, and my infections would be quite severe) means getting married to pain, which can very well lead to something no one can reverse - Biological death.

I look at people like Dr.Hawking (my idol) and I get depressed. I often wonder, "Why did an innocent brilliant physics PhD student have to get caught by something terrible like ALS?" I am just eighteen but I want to focus on curing (or at least discovering more about the pathophysiology) neurodegenerative disorders. It's my own sense of purpose, it's my aim in life. Nothing other than helping the scientific community grow and eventually lead to a better outcome for rest of the world will give me the satisfication that I actually have fulfilled my life.



Thank you. I'd like to add, Dr.Hawking said (as you probably know), "So look up at the stars and not down at your feet." I am applying the quote to my life.

You are only 18? You have so much time, TheLonelyChemist. I hope you don't give up. You never know what can happen between now and when you are, say, 80. You have the passion and intelligence. I'm curious to know why you felt like giving up? Hugs.

Originally Posted by Ptak

You are only 18? You have so much time, TheLonelyChemist. I hope you don't give up. You never know what can happen between now and when you are, say, 80. You have the passion and intelligence. I'm curious to know why you felt like giving up? Hugs.

Thank you Ptak.


I felt like giving up because of my mental health issues. But my professors and doctors alike have told me there's little wrong with me and I can indeed become a scientist. But depression and negativity take their toll on me many times.