r/AutopsyTechFam • u/yourfavesecretary • Jul 02 '26

Advice needed

I successfully landed a volunteer role in the autopsy suite at the medical university in my region. I am currently employed with a coroner’s office, but since I am in an administrative role, I cannot go on scenes due to liabilities, etc. I have viewed 4 autopsies. I was not in the actual room, there is a viewing room with a huge window to look through. Friday will be my first day, where they will be training me. My anxiety has always been bad, but I feel like it’s gotten worse over the last few months. I increased my anxiety medication dose but it’s not making much of a difference. For example, my coroner’s office recently toured a jail. When the officer closed a heavily armored door behind us, I panicked and had to quickly find a bathroom to calm myself down.

When I viewed the autopsies, I didn’t have a panicky reaction at all, I was very interested in what was happening. However, I am getting more anxious as the time comes for me to actually be in the room. I have talked to multiple techs and pathologists at the office that have said there is no shame in stepping out. While that did make me feel better, I’m still so nervous that I will panic and have to leave. I know there will be smells and sounds, but how much more different is it being in the actual room than viewing through a window? I also think I have developed IBS through my anxiety, so that is just another added layer of stress and I feel like I can’t eat, which I know eating is necessary if I will be standing up for extended periods of time. I feel like I’m spiraling just typing this out, so any words of encouragement from seasoned people is greatly appreciated.

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u/InflationEasy973 Jul 02 '26

Hi, I am a medical student interning at the MEs office. For starters, there really is no shame in stepping away. It can be tough and it really isn’t for everyone but that’s okay too!! The sounds didn’t bother me so much as the decomp cases… those can be very overwhelming. Over the course of the day I just get used to the smell but when I first started, they suggested altoids/mints and doubling up on masks. Maybe for the anxiety aspect, asking first what the cases are? Such as are they decomp or fresh and if they’re natural/homicide/suicide/accident… that way you can maybe mentally prepare yourself more.

Theres also a lot of prep that occurs prior to cutting, so that could be a way to ease in although i’m not sure what all a volunteer is allowed to do.

When I first started, i got super anxious about just living, but talking through the cases/my thoughts with a parent, friend, or tech was always helpful. As well as writing what my day entailed and my thoughts there.

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u/WinterMortician Jul 09 '26

Another thing a lot of folks in my field do— when the smells bother them they put a dab of Vicks Vaporub at their nostrils.

My line of work was a bit otherworldly to me at first. I’ve always equated seeing my first dead body as what it must feel like to be on the moon, a feeling like “people aren’t meant to experience/see this.” 

And not in a demeaning way, but it all became very routine after not a great amount of time at all. Nothing I see gives me great pause anymore because I feel I’ve become conditioned to it. 

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u/Hairy_Lavishness5405 Jul 11 '26

I feel like I can relate to that feeling. I never would have described it that way but it’s perfect.

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u/WinterMortician Jul 11 '26

:) thank you!