Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
KevinMD
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking
KevinMD
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking
  • About KevinMD | Kevin Pho, MD
  • Be heard on social media’s leading physician voice
  • Contact Kevin
  • Discounted enhanced author page
  • DMCA Policy
  • Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices
  • Group vs. individual disability insurance for doctors: pros and cons
  • KevinMD influencer opportunities
  • Opinion and commentary by KevinMD
  • Physician burnout speakers to keynote your conference
  • Physician Coaching by KevinMD
  • Physician keynote speaker: Kevin Pho, MD
  • Physician Speaking by KevinMD: a boutique speakers bureau
  • Primary care physician in Nashua, NH | Kevin Pho, MD
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recommended services by KevinMD
  • Terms of Use Agreement
  • Thank you for subscribing to KevinMD
  • Thank you for upgrading to the KevinMD enhanced author page
  • The biggest mistake doctors make when purchasing disability insurance
  • The doctor’s guide to disability insurance: short-term vs. long-term
  • The KevinMD ToolKit
  • Upgrade to the KevinMD enhanced author page
  • Why own-occupation disability insurance is a must for doctors

A panic attack brought on by the stress of medical school [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD
Podcast
May 24, 2021
Share
Tweet
Share
YouTube video

“As I leaned against the pristine wall, my vision suddenly dimmed. Everything turned gray. I gulped for air. My arms and legs went numb. I felt that drowning sensation I’d had in third grade when a nun pushed my head between my legs to keep me from fainting in church on a brutally hot June day. Or like the time when I was eight months pregnant, took a hot shower at the university gym, and almost belly-flopped onto the concrete floor. I prayed that I wouldn’t pass out on my first day of medical school classes. I didn’t want those MDs-to-be, all smarter and younger than I, to know I couldn’t handle this, that I didn’t belong.”

Anne McTiernan is an internal medicine physician and epidemiologist. She is the author of Cured: A Doctor’s Journey from Panic to Peace.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, “A panic attack brought on by the stress of medical school.”

Did you enjoy today’s episode?

Please click here to leave a review for The Podcast by KevinMD. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app to get notified when a new episode comes out!

Do you know someone who might enjoy this episode? Share this episode to anyone who wants to hear health care stories filled with information, insight, and inspiration.

Hosted by Kevin Pho, MD, The Podcast by KevinMD shares the stories of the many who intersect with our health care system but are rarely heard from.

Prev

Thank you to the patients who have allowed me into your lives

May 24, 2021 Kevin 1
…
Next

#PedsMatch22 and the social media imperative

May 25, 2021 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Medical school

< Previous Post
Thank you to the patients who have allowed me into your lives
Next Post >
#PedsMatch22 and the social media imperative

ADVERTISEMENT

More by The Podcast by KevinMD

  • Gradually, then suddenly: Dr. Robert Wachter on health care’s giant AI leap [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Why cervical cancer screening drops after menopause, and why that’s dangerous [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • I have cerebral palsy and I’m a doctor. Here’s what policy cuts mean for patients like me. [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD

Related Posts

  • A panic attack brought on by the stress of medical school

    Anne McTiernan, MD, PhD
  • Pass-fail in medical school. But the stress remains.

    Orly Farber
  • End medical school grades

    Adam Lieber
  • The medical school personal statement struggle

    Sheindel Ifrah
  • Why medical school is like playing defense

    Jamie Katuna
  • The unintended consequences of free medical school

    Anonymous

More in Podcast

  • Gradually, then suddenly: Dr. Robert Wachter on health care’s giant AI leap [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Why cervical cancer screening drops after menopause, and why that’s dangerous [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • I have cerebral palsy and I’m a doctor. Here’s what policy cuts mean for patients like me. [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Clinicians are failing at value-based care because no one taught them the system [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Why I would never compromise on withdrawing care until I saw it firsthand [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Why your patient isn’t filling that prescription (and won’t tell you) [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • When shared decision making gives way to medical paternalism

      DeAnna Pollock, MD | Physician
    • How xenotransplantation could finally solve organ shortages

      Rafael S. Garcia-Cortes, MD | Conditions
    • Clinicians are failing at value-based care because no one taught them the system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The silent patient experience in the exam room

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • Closing the execution reliability gap in health care systems

      Katherine Owen, RN | Conditions
    • How language shapes physician migration and medical training

      Omer Ahmed | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why clinicians fail at writing expert reports

      Tracy Liberatore, Esq, PA | Conditions
    • Rethinking the role of family physicians vs. specialists

      Ronald L. Lindsay, MD | Physician
    • How hindsight bias distorts clinical medicine

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • The cost of time constraints in primary care: Why doctors feel rushed

      Ann Lebeck, MD | Physician
    • Health insurance incentives and alternatives to opioids for chronic pain

      Molly Candon, PhD and Daniel Clauw, MD | Conditions
    • Why Florida physician background checks are driving doctors away

      Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Gradually, then suddenly: Dr. Robert Wachter on health care’s giant AI leap [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The continuum of fertility care: Why IVF is not the only option

      Scott Morin | Conditions
    • Physician autonomy is not separate from patient care

      Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Why heart failure care requires spaced repetition for doctors

      Vimal George, MD | Conditions
    • 51 cases that reframe methylene blue serotonin syndrome

      Steven E. Warren, MD, DPA | Meds
    • Therapeutic alliance in psychiatry matters more than ever

      Timothy Lesaca, MD | Conditions

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • When shared decision making gives way to medical paternalism

      DeAnna Pollock, MD | Physician
    • How xenotransplantation could finally solve organ shortages

      Rafael S. Garcia-Cortes, MD | Conditions
    • Clinicians are failing at value-based care because no one taught them the system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The silent patient experience in the exam room

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • Closing the execution reliability gap in health care systems

      Katherine Owen, RN | Conditions
    • How language shapes physician migration and medical training

      Omer Ahmed | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why clinicians fail at writing expert reports

      Tracy Liberatore, Esq, PA | Conditions
    • Rethinking the role of family physicians vs. specialists

      Ronald L. Lindsay, MD | Physician
    • How hindsight bias distorts clinical medicine

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • The cost of time constraints in primary care: Why doctors feel rushed

      Ann Lebeck, MD | Physician
    • Health insurance incentives and alternatives to opioids for chronic pain

      Molly Candon, PhD and Daniel Clauw, MD | Conditions
    • Why Florida physician background checks are driving doctors away

      Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Gradually, then suddenly: Dr. Robert Wachter on health care’s giant AI leap [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The continuum of fertility care: Why IVF is not the only option

      Scott Morin | Conditions
    • Physician autonomy is not separate from patient care

      Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Why heart failure care requires spaced repetition for doctors

      Vimal George, MD | Conditions
    • 51 cases that reframe methylene blue serotonin syndrome

      Steven E. Warren, MD, DPA | Meds
    • Therapeutic alliance in psychiatry matters more than ever

      Timothy Lesaca, MD | Conditions

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today

Copyright © 2026 KevinMD.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme

  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...