Aug 22, 2017
"There was a poem I once read called "When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple." So, I decided that I am an old woman, and I shall wear hats."
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"There was a poem I once read called "When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple." So, I decided that I am an old woman, and I shall wear hats."
We’re starting something new here at The Outpatient Project! We know that art is an important part of maintaining both mental and physical health, and can really help us start a discussion about things we might not have before! Tabitha or @tabba__ (two underscores) on Instagram is the first in our monthly artist features! She is an UK based kickass feminist artist! She has an incredible ability to master a multitude of art forms: painting, patch-designing, drawing, embroidery, and taxidermy (and these are just what she’s showcased on her social media, who knows what hidden talents she has!)Tabitha’s art focuses on empowerment through the acceptance of our bodies and our mental health. Her vulnerability and ability to connect through her art is truly making this world a better place. We’re so excited to share more of her art in the coming weeks!
Check out the remaining stories and pictures collected by @theoutpatientproject from the @anxietyinteens OutRun Anxiety 5K at http://theoutpatient.org/Events/ and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVWo_XBXOp0
“I don’t really know where a lot of my peers stand politically, but I know where my friends stand. It is a shame. I don’t think it’s unique to just my medical school though. There’s so much science you’re expected to learn in 4 years, so it makes sense that we mostly talk science, but I think the lack of social or political conversation is extremely problematic. We should’ve talked Trump vs. Clinton because I think Clinton would have simplified our professional lives, but that’s just my opinion.
The day after the election was a weird day. We had a mandatory session at 8 am. Most people, at least all of the people I know, were hungover and sad. And at the end of the session, one of my fellow medical students stood up and spoke to the class. He said that we cannot be divided, that we have to treat all patients with compassion, that we cannot let this culture of turning against each other or having hatred towards certain populations to prevent the way that we treat patients or even the way we treat each other. I thought it was a very beautiful speech. It was very touching.
Many people started crying as he was talking. But the medical school class, we don’t really discuss politics. It’s one of the the things that I think is lacking in medical school, the fact that we never have conversations as a group that aren’t medical. Every once in awhile, they encourage us to talk about gender or race dynamics, but usually no one really wants to participate, so they aren’t very productive conversations.”
“Growing up, my dad had dealt with clinical depression and bipolar disorder. My mom had a very stigmatized view of any mental disorder so she transferred that view onto me. For a while I thought my dad was just a weird, isolated guy that I didn't want to be around or better yet become, since any time I acted out at home my mom said I was "crazy just like your father." Once I got into high school that perspective was perpetuated to a certain extent, but I learned to surround myself with more people who accepted the reality that mental health disorders are legitimate diseases which has helped to better and normalize a relationship with my dad.”
“I’ve always loved science. I used, and still use, the scientific process of inquiry when baking cookies. This is one main reason why I became a researcher. The other is that I like to know how things work. Biologically, I mean.”
“I've never been formally diagnosed with any mental illness, but let’s be honest-- no one has a so-called "normal brain." As a girl, I feel pressure to not feel pain, either physically or mentally manifested. Maybe it’s because I grew up believing that showing weakness is bad. Obviously this isn't true, but no one wants to be criticized for not being able to deal with things that negatively affect them or for being any less normal than they already are. I'm working on being more accepting of both my own mental problems as well as that of those around me because these issues are more common than society would like to believe, and are just as serious as physical injury. No one should need to be afraid to seek help or treatment.”
“Right now, as I’m applying for jobs, it’s really difficult to compete with clinical psychology students. Our skills are exactly the same, but I come from a family studies background. I always knew that I wanted to work in healthcare, but the direct physician role wasn’t for me. Thankfully, I was able to bridge my interest in developmental psychology and family studies by focusing on atypical development in children. I get to observe and interact with children and their families in the clinical setting, and I absolutely love it.”