[A18793715]

Sure. Things are bad right now. I have paranoid schizophrenia, no current meds work. But that doesn't mean future meds won't. Despite everything, my dream job has always been to be a psychatrist or a advanced psychatric nurse pracratioiner. (Almost the same, you can prescribe class 3 and below, some states allow private practice but others you work with a MD). I really want to do it but is that even allowed? Can you be a doctor if you've been hospitalized? I feel like I would be a good doctor because I have lots of empathy, understanding, I'm really nice and caring and I want to help people. I know things aren't good right now, but if I can work things out through therapy and improve my life, do you think it would be okay for me to peruse my dream of being a psychiatrist or psych NP?

[Erti]

I don't see why not. People with depression or bipolar disorder are able to become psychiatrist I don't see why someone with schizophrenia can't.

[Atypical_Disaster]

My pdoc has schizoaffective disorder. It's totally possible to have a psychotic disorder and become a psychiatrist.

[Sometimes psychotic]

You can but there is a section you have to fill out when you renew your license as an MD....some require supervision etc for a certain amount of time etc. Keep in mind as an MD you have to go to med school and there will be times where peoples lives are in your hands and you might be actively psychotic.....

So....a friend of mine has epilepsy....while she was in med school she would get to the point where she was going to have a seizure but it could be corrected by a quick nap....there were no accommodations....they did not let her take the nap, instead they simply asked what med she would like when she would have the seizure. She was going into path...you don't even see patients....you would think there would be compassion....there is not.....perhaps nursing is better in that regard...

So there are complications but it's possible....

[Bigmike727]

Hi, all I can say is that anything is possible. Don't give up on your dreams, a doctor said I would never make it to college, would be stuck in this rut forever. Well, here I am today going to college, holding down a job, and generally for the first time in years, enjoying life. My meds have helped me bring my life back mostly under control, sometimes my symptoms still resurface, but there are ways I cope. Just stay strong, and good luck.