Don't know what to do

LegacyUser

This might not sound like a PI to some of ye and it isn't as serious as some others here but I need some help.

I'm in college and this year we are doing placement at the end.I don't really enjoy my course and I suffer from depression(am on Lexapro atm).Doctor said it was reactive depression from other stuff in my life,not the course, and that I have a sense of hopelessness with things.

Anyway,we have the choice to go to America or stay in Ireland for our placement, and I've applied for America atm but we can send in cvs to a few companies in Dublin outside of the others we applied to.I'm not sure what to do with that.It would cost a lot of money to go to the US,and whilst I can get it,you're not exactly coming back with much afterwards once you take that out.I'd like to go to the US, but I also don't know will I be capable of handling it.The placement is 6 months, and I've never really been away from home before, and with suffering from depression, I don't exactly know how I'd handle being able from home for so long.My results and work experience are strong enough imo that I'll be fine workwise no matter where I go, but it's just the being away for so long that I don't know how I'll cope.

I know this doesn't seem like much of an issue but any help would be appreciated.

thefeatheredcat

I think you should voice your concerns regarding your depression and coping with it while away in the US to your GP as they may be able to give you help on that, even on tips on keeping yourself going for the 6 months and maintaining your medication, or being able to give you support resources/centres before you go.

There are some things that you just have to take a leap of faith to know if you can cope being away from home or not. You may think you may not be able to cope, but you might surprise yourself! It really is the ultimate way to test yourself too, test your skills, self-reliance, courage and ambition.

Would there be any contacts from the course that would be there on placement with you in the state/city you're going to?

Would you deem it more safe for you to do the placement in Ireland over been thrown in the deep end in going to the USA?

I think you have to look at it from two ends - career and CV and your personal self. If it is at an advantage for your career to go to the USA, then it may be the best choice. If there is no strict advantage over either place, then its to personal and life experience that may gain an advantage, even just to overcome your confidence. Would you regret not going to the USA, even just for the experience of being away from home? Imagine if you didn't and it's 12 months later, how would you feel? Do you feel you would have done yourself justice or an injustice?

Maybe have a chat with your parents, fellow students, college counsellor and people around you. They can't make the decision for you, but they may be able to help you weigh up your option.

I would say that if it were detrimental to your health to do to the USA and your GP/counsellor feels that you shouldn't for health concerns, of course, that should be taken on board and wouldn't be advisable to go against medical advice.

LegacyUser

Thanks for that, my GP told me to go on my gut instinct as I may regret not going to the US.

I am trying to change though,am on Lexapro, as mentioned, was at a psychiatrist today due to a cancellation, so I'd hope that by the time the placement comes around,I'll be better anyway.

There would be others with my on the placement alright but I haven't actually talked to anyone about how I am really, only my dad and my doctor.

Atm,I'm weighing towards the US, but the cost(think it's be about 4000-5000 to get over there and live off for a few weeks before we get paid) and the wondering will I be able to get through it are nagging me in my head.I could still move out and work in Dublin(am from Cork) and there'd be big companies there that I'd have the opportunity to go to, and it would give me the possibility to go home at weekends if I needed to.

It's really kind of a choice that I'd reckon I may regret in some way and like if someone told me I was moving out tomorrow,there's no way I could cope by myself now.Just don't know how I'll be in March.

Thanks for replying,it was a good post.

thefeatheredcat

You're welcome

I think anyone going to the USA for the 6 months would have specific concerns on how they will cope generally, from settling in the placement, getting around, meeting people, the culture and all that. Plus being out of a normal environment where everything is that bit alien. But it's a real positive challenge in itself to do away with the training wheels of security of your family and familiarity.

So I would guess that others going to the USA for the placement will have these worries too, especially coping with being away from home. But it's only 6 months, don't forget and home isn't too far away. So I would suggest that if there's enough of you going to the same place, maybe keep in contact just so there's something for all of you to lean on if need.

In any case I think it's a broadening of the horizon of yourself and you have a chance to learn things about yourself that maybe otherwise in Dublin or Cork you wouldn't learn....and should you move to Dublin afterwards it will be less a daunting task because you'll have done 6 months in the USA!

As for the more personal things regarding your depression, some people will empathise and understand, but not all....but being open about it makes it easier to deal with all the same. It's harder to hide it and pretend all is ok than it is just to speak up about it because that is a burden in itself. You'll find many people here in this section have been through it, myself included. And it does help to talk about it and be upfront, even if it's just to strangers - the important thing is to communicate, any way, any how.

Trust your instincts anyway and it's something to look forward to and be excited about And it will all work out and you will be ready by March