Becoming a Psychology Major if you've had to have counseling in the past?

Question

I'm thinking of switching my major to Psychology, but I have had problems with depression in the past. I want to become a psychologist so I can help other people, but i'm not sure if my past experiences will be more harm or help. Do you think it will help me better relate to my clients or will it get in the way of my studies?

Answer 1

It will only help you! You've been there so you know what people with depression are going through. I've always wondered about psychologists or therapists who have never had mental problems about how they can really help you when they don't know what it's like firsthand? You can't teach that in a book. I think you'll make a great psychologist!

Answer 2

I don't see this necessarily being an obstacle as long as you don't try to compare your clients' experiences to your own. Of course, by the time you go through all of your training, you will learn how to deal with the client without getting personally involved. The one thing to consider is how well you think you'd be able to handle being around people with major problems. Would you be prone to getting frustrated and depressed if a client wasn't progressing as quickly as you hoped? Only you can figure that out. It may help to talk with an advisor or clinical faculty member in the psych department to give you a better idea of what pressures and stresses are involved with being a psychologist.

Answer 3

Honestly, it depends on the person. Many people who recover from mental illness dedicate their lives to helping others do the same... it has been said that most psych majors have had such experiences in the past. I've had both kinds of therapists- those who had never had a diagnosable disorder, and those who have recovered from the worst of them, and in all honesty I prefer the latter. I feel like if my therapist has gone through the same troubles as I have, they will understand my frustration and not brush off my feelings.

Basically if you feel that your emotions are stable, then go for it. If you think that your clients will drag you back down into your depressive state, then stick with something less dangerous. It's different for everyone. And good luck!

Answer 4

There are a lot of psychologists that have dealt with depression. Depression is a big epidemic. Most people end up in careers that they can associate with.
It is better to go to a psychologist that has had some experience with the underlining problem than someone just schooled. They understand better where your coming from.
Good Luck with whatever you do.

Answer 5

I think that a lot of people become psychology majors because they want to find out more about their own psychological make-up, and I don't think that there's anything wrong with that.

It takes a lot of education and training to become qualified to counsel people, and in that time, you will discover more about your personal strengths and weaknesses and be better able to tell if you are qualified to pursue a career in clinical psychology.

In the meantime, I say follow your gut instinct--if it's telling you to switch your major, switch. What's most important at this stage in your education is picking a major that interests you. If you enjoy your classes, you're much more likely to succeed in college.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

Answer 6

My Ex was a Clinical Psychologist and he always said that most of his Colleagues suffered from some form of mental illness. No Joke!! Maybe it's beneficial to the patient if you can empathize with how they feel, and maybe this is also why some many people with Anxieties, Depression, etc. seek to enter this field, as to better understand their own problems.
Good Luck Sweetie!!

Answer 7

It depends on you personally, and your own ability to stay objective. Psychiatrists and mental health professionals are just people. They are far from perfect. Some are bipolar, suffer from depression, have phobias and anxiety, etc, just like everyone else. It is always important to strive for self understanding in order to keep a truly open mind when evaluating other people's problems. Even people who suffer no chemical imbalance have their own biases and can find themselves projecting their own beliefs onto their clients, which is wrong to do. It's something every person in that line of work needs to keep in check no matter who they are. Probably the biggest thing for you to consider is your own emotional stamina. It can be very emotionally exhausting listening to suffering and sadness day in and day out. That's why people in that line of work suffer high rates of burn out.

Answer 8

I worked for a psychologist and he visited his psychologist at least twice a week. I think if you already have your own psychological issues why bring on the boat load by becoming a psychologist. Every psychologist needs an even better psychologist.

Answer 9

I think it will definitely give you a better understanding of what some of your clients are going through.