I often think what would it be like to have a psychology career to be able to understand what others can't to be able to help others in need and pick apart those who commit crimes. My name is Amanda and I am living in a small country town in NSW, not far from Sydney. I'm studying my first year into Bachelor of Psychology, Criminology, and Justice at ECU. I suffer from a mental illness called Schizophrenia, along with other illnesses like Anxiety and Depression. I can relate to those who struggle with the small things in life, and I'm very blessed that my medication works so I don't hear anything anymore and haven't for about 6 years now since my first episode at the age of 29 years old. I've always had anxiety, but it was a massive shock when I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and I even came to the conclusion I had it when I was in the mental ward before I asked my mental health doctor if it was in fact schizophrenia. It's funny how people assume it is to have multiple personalities when that isn't true at all. In fact, that is a completely different illness from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is more about hearing and seeing things that aren't there; it has nothing to do with multiple personalities. People hear this illness and think Oh, no, dangerous person but that isn't true unless they are off their medication. That's the only time you have to worry. You have a higher chance being hit by a bus than getting hurt by someone who is mentally ill and taking their medication daily.
Many people discourage me from doing psychology because its too expensive or too hard to get into a masters degree. I get that, but it's definitely worth the debt considering the positives outweigh the negative aspects. But some people don't realize there are many different debt and hecs that covers university degree costs is actually a good debt because it can lead to a well-paying career and many other factors. So why would I get into psychology? I got into this course simply because I see people who were victims of being under a mental illness episode and were committing a crime by going on a stabbing rampage, like in Sydney Westfield shopping centre not long ago, only to be shot in the head by a police officer. This affected me dramatically because that could have been me if I was to not take my medication or when I had my first mental episode in Sydney. Plus, having an obsession with crime shows on TV with real crime killers and even liking shows like Dr.Phil and Bull. I like a challenge, and I believe psychology will do that; it will challenge me, but also lead to a great career. I previously did other careers. I tried aged care, working in a discount shop, kitchen hand and even freelanced in beauty, and I don't find that it fits me nor does it mentally challenge me. I want to use my brain to achieve something great. Even if its just your average psychologist. I've had family tell me Oh, you won't amount to anything, you'll be in and out of mental wards for the rest of your life. First of I've proven them wrong because I've taken my medication religiously for the past 6 years. Plus, I'll prove them other ways by completing my bachelor's degree, followed by my honours, and then my master's. It may take me ages to finally become one but it be worth it.
So uni doesn't start until Monday, the 28th of July, and I can not wait. The first assignment is about serial killer Edmund Kemper, you may have heard of his story from Mental Minds, I believe the show is called Mind something on Netflix. Just search his name on YouTube and you'll find out a lot more about him. He killed 10 women in the 60s when hitchhiking was a big thing to do. He was known as the butcher and at one point in his teens he killed his grandparents and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which I believe was a false diagnosed because he doesn't talk about having symptoms in his interview that he did in the 80s. It's sad but fascinating yet creepy that someone so friendly could be so violent towards women. Oh the show was Mind Hunters I remember it now haha!!
I don't have much information on my bachelor degree so far so I can't blog about it but soon as I have something to write about I'll post it here for everyone to read. I hope you enjoyed my first blog entry.
Amanda xx
