Can depressed doctors get emotional support without risking their license? Is confidential mental health care even possible?
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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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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Doctor revived after suicide. Here's what he says.
