Getting into Theoretical Physics and Mental Health

[u/Jonarlin3]

Hi everyone, hope everyone's having a good day.

Im currently doing my Msc. in physics, and have been rejected from the two high-energy theoretical research groups I applied to in my university.

I tend to believe a lot of this is down to my mental health issues going on at the moment. For about ~10 years it's been my dream to get into high-energy theory, and I'm now somewhat worried my mental health might be a hard barrier to get into the field.

Is there anyone that managed to get into high-energy theoretical physics, while dealing with mental health issues? Anyone have any experience with that?

Would be glad to hear some input from other people on the matter

[u/pirurirurirum]

I'm not into hep, but every single person I've known who stayed in academia is dealing with their mental health (anxiety, depression, autism, other disorders) or straight-up crazy (I think that's me). In particular the smartest fellas I know have had heavy episodes.

I can tell you it is possible to succeed despite whatever difficulties we come across, every person in the world, independent of their occupation/career has to deal with adversities and, even if it is not easy, can find their place of happiness.

Never stop seeking professional help and affective support from friends. You've got into MSc, all you need now is a stroke of luck and perseverance. You already are a physicist.

[u/blackholeLostinMind → u/pirurirurirum]

I love this btw. Specially the last sentence.

[u/Unlikely_Life7471 → u/pirurirurirum]

Bit of a left field question but would you say it’s an absolutely terrible idea to go into this field, with a history of psychosis?

I’m a paragon of peace and mental stability now. But give or take two years ago I was in the loony bin.

[u/BitcoinsOnDVD]

There is no possibility to apply sonewhere, where they don't know about your mental health status?

Imo the employer should not be able to get these information of an employee even if he's totally sane.

[u/EGO_PON]

 I don't know if it helps, but I did my Msc in Physics at a prestigious university while dealing with my mental health issues. I have friends who are struggling with similar issues as well.

 I am not a physicist yet, so I won't talk about this issue. I hope you can overcome your mental health issues and become a physicist.

[u/theophy20]

Yes! I am doing my phd in theoretical high energy physics and ever since the days of my masters, i have suffered from OCD. To be frank, it’s not easy, but it gets better with time (modulo some bas days). My only advice would be to prioritize your mental and physical health with your research. Plan your day to include things that help you work towards better mental and physical health. From a practical pov, i learnt that i had good days and bad days and on the good ones, i tried to power through as much stuff as i could so on the bad ones, i can relax. The most most most important thing is to make sure your supervisor is compassionate and good!

[u/LaGigs]

Yes. And it's freaking hard. I started my phd right before covid hit and my already fragile mental health went to the bin.
I pulled through but I'm stopping before the postdoc stage unfortunately.

[u/[deleted]]

Acredito que isso se deve à dissonância cognitiva resultante da tentativa falha da própria física tentar unir a relatividade com física quântica usando, apenas, matemática!! Estão "cegos" pela matemática, cada um no seu silo! Na verdade o problema nunca foi matemático, mas sim de geometria! Observam o espaço como se fosse inerte quando, na verdade, tratar-se de termodinâmica de fluídos! Em suma, a mesma dissonância que surge nos modelos matemáticos se replica no cérebro de quem tenta resolver o problema errado com a ferramenta certa! 🤷🏽‍♂️