I need help

Post Reply New Topic

I am on placement on my occupational therapy course and I'm really struggling atm. I had a couple of meltdowns last week and had to get an emergency doctors appt because I needed to try and do something. My mental and physical health is suffering. She couldn't really do much but listen and she gave me some zolpidem to help with sleep. It's not in question whether I'm smart enough to do this but the question is whether I can cope with what it takes out of me in practice and the effect that has. It is so much more difficult when there's no visible sign to show people your difficulties, especially when you put in so much effort to get by and appear capable and competent. I'm not sure I want it if I'm going to struggle and suffer this much for it. And it's only going to get more difficult but what on earth else am I going to do? The question is if anyone has any wise words or helpful thoughts to offer?

I'm sorry you're going through this stuff.

What has been causing you to have these meltdowns?

Are the vocational rehab people trying to get you employment in something like fast food?

I would advise you, if you feel a meltdown coming, to say you have to use the bathroom, so you could calm down a little.

At the moment you might have to consider self care as your priority, nothing is worth becoming ill over. It sounds like you are going through a tough time.

I guess through placement you are experiencing the reality of work as an OT, quite a social and stressful job. Is there a career guidance counselor available through your Uni? Many people change from a course that does not suit them to one that does.

The cause of the meltdowns is trying to manage the mental, practical, environmental and social stress of being on placement. Yes, thanks KK, that is actually what I try to do. It's just that I also have to really push myself to pass placement, so it is difficult. My practice educators reminded me that it's important that I let them know when things are becoming too much or when I am starting to struggle but it is incredibly difficult to communicate this or to show the extent of how I am feeling until it's too late, I am trying though.

Reflecting back upon recent events I did manage to write something down and shared it with my practice educators and personal tutor back at uni. After sharing this with them and following feedback from them on it, I am feeling more positive than I was up until Monday. I'm not feeling a great deal better personally but I am taking each day as it comes and looking forwards again, as opposed to feeling I needed to consider an alternative path altogether.
I think my mind still very much focused on OT, I just need to be aware that the stress and issues are not going to go away, so I must learn to find ways to better manage them. My practice educators reassured me that I have the intelligence and ability to become an OT, it's just that the social/communication/sensory issues will mean I need to think more carefully about where I try to find work and in what area but that areas I would be more suited to do exist. I am at least now focused on getting to the end of placement.

Thanks for your replies.