Destigmatize physician depression.(Guest Editorial)

Physicians are not immune to depression and suicidal ideation. Yet we often deny our vulnerability to the same illnesses that we treat in our patients, and further deny that getting help for depression will, in fact, fix the problem.

It is time for our profession t0 change this mind set. As a first step, an expert panel recently called for a shift in professional attitudes and policies to support physicians seeking help for depression and suicidal behavior (JAMA 289:3161-66, 2003).

Our initial challenge is to destigmatize depression by bringing it into the mainstream of medical illness. Depression is an illness, not an indication of moral failing, poor performance, or being overworked.

Furthermore, depression is not routinely characterized by long-term disability or impairment. Most depressive episodes, when treated appropriately, do not impair our ability to function well as physicians. Nearly 12% of the general population has experienced depression. The more we talk about depression in our medical work places and at our CML and specialty meetings, the more we will recognize depression as something that can also affect us.

We have lives that extend beyond our work with patients on a daily basis. We need to remember that other issues in our lives can interfere with our overall well-being-and to be sensitive to that fact.

The price of depression that goes untreated extends beyond the difficulties that depressed physicians face in their relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Untreated depression also could impair the patient relationship and the ...