“Take a deep breath, cry a little if it helps, then start preparing for the exam” -Professor at UNC
The level of anxiety and depression that high-achieving students place on themselves in beyond unhealthy.
I want an “A”.
No… I NEED an “A”.
If I DON’T get an “A”, how can I get into my top med school?
Will I get into ANY med school?
I think I’m going to get a B…
I won’t get into med school.
I won’t be a doctor.
I will be a failure.
I will be the family embarrassment.
Who wants to be friends with the person who DIDN’T get into med school??
I’m going to fail at life.
I cannot, CANNOT get that B.
I just have to study… a lot. Then some more. And some more.
I can sleep when I’m dead.
Food? That takes up time.
Meeting up with friends? NO TIME.
Relaxation?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME. NO. TIME. FOR. THAT.
I AM STRESSED.
I AM OVERWHELMED.
I. CANNOT. DO. THIS.
& that, my friends, is how an “overachiever” engages in negative patterns of thinking and goes into severe anxiety and/or depression…
The Calculating Mind 