The Chronic Case of DOCTORitis

An 18 year old male patient by name Mr. CET STUDENT, presented to LTMGH with chief complaints of an ambition to become a doctor since childhood. He was apparently asymptomatic before the thought, and the presenting complaint was sudden in onset, gradual in progression, with an ever increasing severity since the past 2 years and was stimulating in character, aggravated by seeing  successful doctors, and relieved after chilling out with the non medico friends.

Past History - No similar complaints in the past. He is not a known ratta master and slogger. Ranker since school. However, didn't find medicine equally easy. On general examination, he was conscious, coherent, co operative, well oriented to time, space and person, but is little disturbed.

Personal History - Single (even after several repeated attempts otherwise)

Family History - No reported case of doctoritis present in family.

Higher functions - Normal.
Attitude - Ambitious.
No abnormality was detected on clinical examination. He was admitted, for observation to relieve his complaint, and was subjected to a battery of investigations spanning over a 5 and a half years, involving all the senior members of the college.

At first he was reluctant to get 'treated' (ragging), but gradually was cooperative. He was put under tremendous pressure in the latter part of the first year. Complained of palpitations and nausea the day before the exam. Was not prescribed anything. He ultimately cleared the first year exam. This phenomenon continued till the third year, and a good response was noted as his chief complaint started to show some sort of improvement. All of his engineering friends were well settled. He was aging. He was feeling insecure.

Observation - Somehow, by god's grace, he was able to clear the final MBBS exam.
But, the journey was filled with a tremendous amount of pressure, tension, insecurity. He was tired of the investigations and even questioned himself during the announcement of results. He did not have any previous experience of doing this.

Today he is an intern and is preparing for PG Entrance.
Super added syllabus induced insomnia has recently developed. It was initially mild, but gradually increased to present state.

Today he doubts... He doubts his intellectual capability, his intrinsic curiosity and wonders whether he really needed this. He is even more confused than ever, about his ambition. He wants to achieve and prove it to everybody that he is somebody precious in this world. He wants to exemplify his existence. He realizes that the journey which he faced is just a preview of what lies in the Pandora's Box for his entire life. Digging through mountains of difficulties, he found himself stranded in the land of nowhere. So many roads to choose from, but each more confusing than the other. And now he wants to go back! To that very time when he chose this and change everything, but then is again confused as to what must be changed. The treatment and investigations the college gave were too much for him. Was it worth? Is it worth?

And suddenly he realized one thing... It is this journey which makes you unique. It is this very journey that carves a doctor out of you, that gives you all the stress and mental training required to be licensed to deal with lives. On top of all, it gives you the individuality which is also a by-product of this arduous journey.

He pondered over his condition and realized that this is the way, life here is and hence his complaint grew in terms of severity. He realized that every person who joins medicine and is ambitious to reach the finishing line is a successful person. He realized, there is no UNsuccessful practitioner.  Every doctor represents a success story.
This chap now realized that he was ground mentally and physically. And finally became a doctor, without even realizing.

Conclusion - MBBS teaches you a lot of things. Some very pleasant and some not really. Forget the stress and enjoy the road. The result will be an unforgettable journey...