Can depressed doctors get emotional help without license repercussions? Is it even possible for physicians to get confidential mental health care?
I just got this email from a physician:
“Hi Pamela, Wondering if I could curbside you on the topic of seeking mental health services as a physician.
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Many doctors suffer silently with physician PTSD—occupationally-induced or exacerbated by work.
As doctors, we often minimize our trauma exposure by labeling it with less-stigmatized conditions like OCD, stress, or burnout.
While doctors who are compulsively obsessive and attentive to details are celebrated for being comprehensive and thorough,
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Do depressed doctors go to doctors? Do they even seek help? What do depressed doctors do when they’re not helping you? Doctors have affairs. They drink alcohol and smoke pot. They steal prescription medications. They binge-eat crap, scream, and exercise obsessively. Depressed doctors contemplate suicide. They hide their feelings to prevent being punished by licensing boards or mistreated by “Physician Health Programs.” Fact: depression is an occupational hazard in medicine.
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Hate your job? You may be in the right profession, but wrong position for your personality. Want to love your life and career?
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This is an email subject line from a doctor. Letter published with permission.
Hello Pamela
I have become so disillusioned with medicine. I do not know who to talk to any more or what to do with my life.
I work one week a month in the ICU.
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Doctor revived after suicide. Here's what he says.
