GradPSYCH - January 2012 - (Page 31)

“I think people who are drawn towards professions such as psychology, usually their interest comes from something very personal. It’s not because they’ve had a simple, gilded, wonderfully supported life.” russELL FEDErMaN University of Virginia the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, a student with a diagnosis of depression might be permitted to move through a graduate psychology program at a slower pace. Norcross recommends visiting the ADA compliance officer even if a student doesn’t want to disclose. “You say, ‘I just want you to be part of my support system and be available for me,’” he says. “You can go to that person for support and referrals.” Steps for self-care Whether or not students decide to disclose their illness to faculty members, they must make self-care a priority, says Norcross. One convenient place to seek help is the campus counseling center, which usually offers students at least a few free therapy sessions. The downside, especially at small campuses, is you’re likely to run into students or professors whom you know. Even off-campus counseling centers can be a problem for students who seek anonymity, says Foster. She and her classmates “work in every clinic in the community,” she says. But Foster did find a way to get help. She met with the counseling center director and asked for a referral. “I have since given that name to three or four other graduate students in my program,” she says. Just as important as a good therapist, however, is a solid support system. You should seek out people “who you find to be trustworthy, reliable, sensitive and empathic,” Federman says. It’s especially important to make friends outside of your program, Brandes says. At Yale, she and her colleagues try to encourage interdepartmental mingling. “We have social events and mixers and sports events,” she says. These activities allow students to “get outside of the bubble of their department or program.” Students who spend too much time within the confines of their programs run the risk of letting the program become their identity, Brandes says. Then, when things aren’t going well with your studies, “your sense of identity is going to be pretty crushed.” Having a support group that includes people who share other interests can make it “easier to ride those low waves,” she says. And whether you have a mental illness or not, all graduate students should take good care of themselves. That means getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising and setting boundaries, Norcross says. Louis doesn’t plan to apply to graduate school for a few more years, but she already has a plan in place for managing her OCD. Like Foster, she intends to see a therapist while she’s in graduate school. She also has several safeguards in place to ensure that her life doesn’t become too hectic. For example, her husband has agreed to work fewer hours, and her parents have pledged to help out. “I have had three children while overcoming OCD,” she says. “I understand precisely the effects of stress on my OCD, and I am surrounding myself with every form of support to set myself up for success in being trained to help others. There will be zero time for allowing OCD to run the show.” For Foster, exercise has been an important part of her recovery. She began weightlifting in graduate school and discovered that she’s good at it. The sport gave her “a feeling of competence and confidence in something that had nothing to do with school,” she says. Foster recently went through the internship matching process, possibly the most anxiety-inducing experience any psychology graduate student will have. She secured an internship at her top pick, a VA hospital. “I still have a year of hard work ahead of me,” she says, “but just knowing that I matched ... I have this huge weight off my shoulders.” Foster is enjoying her newfound serenity, but she also acknowledges that she might not be where she is today without her anxiety disorder. “It’s part of me and part of what drives me to move forward and be really productive,” she says. “It’s a doubleedged sword.” n Cassandra Willyard is a writer in New York City. *The names of all the students in this article have been changed to protect their privacy. gradPSYCH • January 2012 • 31 

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GradPSYCH - January 2012

GradPSYCH - January 2012
Contents
Psychology grad school enrollment drops, despite record numbers of applicants
Students leave their iPods at home during ‘crunch time’
Media Picks
Chair’s Corner
Odd Jobs
Research Roundup
Hot careers: Video game design and development
Friends and co-workers
Time to bail?
Scaling Mount Publication
Need to heal thyself?
Staying connected
Matters to a Degree
Power up your PowerPoint
Dissertations vs. diapers
Searching for answers
Bulletin Board
Jobs, internships, postdocs and other opportunities
The Back Page

GradPSYCH - January 2012

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