I was recently told that because I have scars (they're not really that visible) and have different diagnoses myself, I can't become a psychologist. This just broke me down completely. My lifelong dream is to become a criminal psychologist, and I've spent my whole life focusing on that, and I've been taking psychologist courses in school etc, but now I just feel like giving up.. There's no reason for me to keep fighting if I'm not gonna have a future anyway. I'll just give in to the thoughts. -TU
Hi love,
Please, don’t listen to whoever told you that. Not only are they incredibly ignorant and rude, they are also 100% wrong. One of my psychology teachers actually told me that most people who go into the psychology field have personal experience with mental illness. So please, don’t let that ignorant person prevent you from pursing your dream. You can still be a criminal psychologist, even if you have scars are some diagnoses yourself. Most likely your personal experience and personal struggles will actually make you a better criminal psychologist because you will be more empathetic and understanding of what your patients / clients are going through.
Here are some links I think you should read that will help you see how wrong that person was:
http://psychcentral.com/ask-the-therapist/2009/06/22/can-i-be-a-good-psychologist-if-i-have-mental-health-issues/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/embracing-the-dark-side/201106/psychologists-and-their-mental-illnesses
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-harold-koplewicz/mental-illness-stigma_b_891359.html
Hope this helps,
<3 Jen
