Psychiatrists and psychologists have higher incidence of mental illness in themselves!

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Psychiatrists and psychologists treat mental issues of their patients. But what about their own mental illnesses? 

Psychiatrists and psychologists are more ill mentally 

Doctors are in great stress during their training as well as career period. The workload, busy and fast life schedules, and higher expectations and competitiveness and the nature of the job itself leads to a sense of exhaustion, both physical and mental. There is a heavy burnout. Moreover, time for socialization is almost nil. 

Hence, doctors are in grave risk of suffering from mental health illnesses. And in this, psychiatrists and psychologists have a higher risk and incidence of mental health issues. 

It is a sad truth that psychiatrists and psychologists are more ill mentally than general public or other doctors. This has been known but not accepted and recognised sufficiently. 

Also, read: Narcissist mothers are non-loving and jealous of their daughters 

Studies have revealed that psychiatrists and psychologists have higher rates of mental illnesses. These are more complex. It is not only depression and anxiety, but they also have drug addiction problems. 

Reasons for the mental issues in mental health caregivers 

The causes for such a high rate of mental health issues in psychiatrists and psychologists are multiple. 

They have higher rates of stress, burnout and job dissatisfaction. They have to face more patient complaints and threats and their job is more abstract. Moreover, studies have also shown that people who join or want to join psychiatry courses themselves have been patients of mental health issues in the past. Additionally, working with mental health patients has a negative impact on those treating them too. And these mental health clinicians are also, after all, humans and prone to similar issues. 


To add on, these mental health doctors are reluctant to procure treatment for their own mental health issues. The reasons are due to stigma attached with it, feeling of shame, prejudice against it in society and at workplace, and concern of probable negative impact on career of the diagnosis. Lack of specialized mental health centers and facilities for doctors also add to the reluctance to avail mental health services by psychiatrists. 

Psychiatrists and psychologists have busy work and do not find time to get themselves diagnosed and treated. They are also uncomfortable to seek help from colleagues in the same field. 

All of this affects them, their family, social circle and sadly also their patient management. 

Nonetheless, proper management of mental health issues of psychiatrists and psychologists is needed for their own and family well-being. Once they accept and start treatment, recovery is faster and certain. To take the first step is hard, but once taken, the road is smooth and easy. 

Reference: 

Grover S, Sahoo S, Bhalla A, Avasthi A Psychological problems and burnout among medical professionals of a tertiary care hospital of North India: A cross-sectional study. Indian J Psychiatry 2018; 60: 175–188

White A, Shiralkar P, Hassan T, Galbraith N, Callaghan R Barriers to mental healthcare for psychiatrists. Psychiatr Bull 2006; 30: 382–384

Why do Doctors Need a Specialist Mental Health Service. Available from: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/why-do-doctors-need-a-specialist

Brenner AM, Balon R, Guerrero AP, Beresin EV, Coverdale JH, Louie AK, et al. Training as a psychiatrist when having a psychiatric illness. Acad Psychiatry 2018; 42: 592–597

Cutler JL, Harding KJ, Mozian SA, Wright LL, Pica AG, Masters SR, et al. Discrediting the notion “working with ‘crazies’ will make you 'crazy”: Addressing stigma and enhancing empathy in medical student education. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract 2009; 14: 487–502

Kar N. Mental health of the psychiatrists: A need for reflection. Odisha Journal of Psychiatry. 2022; 18 (2):  67-70


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