As explored in a previous blog, physician burnout has endured as a costly and potentially deadly issue plaguing the medical field. Studies have shown the severe mental damage occasionally spawned by a physician’s daily obligations — especially as it pertains to personal accomplishment and subconscious alignment. There are, luckily, numerous ways that physicians can combat such adverse feelings, and many of them are based in preemptive planning to stop the problem before it can snowball.

That said, perhaps the most effective preventative measure is to address the issue at one of its deepest roots: the cluster of dangerous stigmas currently surrounding physician mental health in general. These misconceptions have put unnecessary pressure on already compromised physicians, relegating their struggles to taboo territory rather than proactively working towards a solution.

The stigmas

The disturbing reality about physician mental health is that many issues go unreported, and are therefore left untreated; this has contributed greatly to metrics surrounding elevated mental illness symptoms within the field — most notably those linked to self-harm, as physicians, unfortunately, reflect one of the highest suicide rates compared to other professions.

While these statistics seem clear-cut, the stigmas themselves are, at times, not as easy to notice. Some interpret physicians’ mental burdens as a “catch-22” of sorts, linking the issues brought about “high self-expectations, intense professional pressure, and prevailing culture of the medical profession” to a general reluctance to seek help. Broadly speaking, the act of seeking help manifests as yet another stressor, an act of embarrassment and weakness that seemingly undermines their credibility as a weathered, trial-tested medical professional.

This harmful Pavlovian effect has made necessary intervention synonymous with shame, and until we break this cycle, it will perpetually invade what is otherwise a noble and timelessly relevant career path.