MMI - Crippling anxiety

[Deleted]

Hi everyone,

I have severe anxiety and panic disorder. I currently take 3 different medications to help cope with this issue. I do consider this a disability. However, it is temporary, and I don't foresee it affecting my ability to be a vet. I am extremely worried about the upcoming MMI. Does anyone have any tips to help reassure a fellow student? I'm sure some of you are in the same boat. 

[xenaxavier]

Hi Tee,

You are most certainly not alone! I have bad anxiety and OCD that I'm coping with too (it became so severe that I finally sought treatment for it). For me, I find the best thing to do is a) make sure I keep up with my medication and b) practice! I found the Mock MMIs to be really helpful because the more I do something, the more comfortable I feel with it, so for me, I'm finding the best thing to do is practice and to make it as real as possible. I am also someone who needs to prepare for things like this. Also, find an outfit that makes you look and feel great (but that you're completely comfortable in)! If you look good, you feel good and you'll come across as confident.

Cheers!

[oncovet]

I don't get anxiety and haven't experienced it before but my best advice would be to avoid your triggers (assuming you know what they are). Especially avoid those who trigger your anxiety, such as friends talking about vet school, grades and everything that goes along with this process. You need to walk into your MMI as confident as possible "fake it until you make it". The observers sense weakness and are actively looking for mistakes and bad responses. If anything, stressing about it before is probably better than during the interview.

[currentvetstudent]

I strongly disagree with what oncovet said above. I've been in the chair being interviewed (twice), and I've also interviewed other people now that I've in vet school. We are most certainly not looking for any sign of weakness, we are nice people who have all been in your shoes. The first time I was interviewed, I had a panic attack in the hallway between 2 stations. I managed to put myself back together in time to still complete all the stations, but unfortunately did not get accepted that year. The following year I was on doctor-prescribed sedatives for my panic attacks, and it helped me through the interview. The key is practice, practice, practice. The more comfortable you are with the setup, the timing, there will be fewer things that can throw you off. And remind yourself, if you screw up 1 station, there are 7 more, so put yourself back together, and treat each station like a new opportunity.

[lowenger]

Agreed currentvetstudent.

[xenaxavier]

Thanks currentvetstudent! That is very reassuring to hear!

[guest009]

I also agree with currentvetstudent; my first interview I had a panic attack after my first station and didn't manage to put myself back together enough to be accepted. I do agree this is a disability but decided to try alternatives before medications, which is a path that worked for me. I attended toastmasters and had many people interview me (friends, family, uofg interview help) to practice. I was able to breathe through any nerves during my second interview and was admitted. Since then, I have also sat on the other side of the table and can assure you that I am not actively looking for mistakes! Nor do I know anyone that is. We understand that this is a stressful situation to be in, and are very comfortable with any interviewee taking a break to compose him/herself. We empathize with you and, in all honesty, are actively looking to increase your score. There are strict guidelines to marking, and if you take a second to breath part way through, this will not affect your score.

[Wondering]

Does anyone know if you're allowed to wear a digital watch with a timer to the interview in order to moderate your 8 minutes of speaking time?

[lowenger]

Wondering you are not allowed anything that beeps as it will disrupt others. We ring a bell.

[strevel54]

Anxiety needs to be treated carefully if it is not treated with care you can get trapped in situation of drug addiction. I also have gone through this, started taking opiate and drinking alcohol. But later I got the treatment at the virginia opiate addiction treatment center.