The Real Reason I'm Studying Social Work and Psychology in College

When people asked me why I chose my majors of psychology and social work, I have a standard answer, but this answer is only part of the truth. I tell them I have always loved helping people so I wanted to go into a helping profession. I tell them that I started learning about mental illness and psychology and the information just clicked for me. I tell them all these things, but all these things are not the full reason I chose my major.

I choose my major because I have generalized anxiety disorder, depression, specific phobia, ADHD like tendencies and obsessive-compulsive disorder like tendencies. I chose my major because learning about my disorders helped me understand myself. These disciplines took me from a place of not knowing to having a name and reason for the thoughts constantly swirling around in my head. I chose my majors because I was told at my general practitioners office that I most likely have an anxiety disorder and I went home, looked it up and fell in love with everything I learned. I chose my major because I want to be the person my social worker and psychologist have been for me. I chose my major because I know it only takes one person to help someone else. I want to be that person for someone someday. I chose my major because I want to make a positive impact on someone’s life and these majors seemed like the perfect way to do it.

So yes, I chose my major because I like helping people and the information just clicks for me. But more than that I chose my major because of where I have been in my life.

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