They say doctors are the worst patients.
A new study published in the journal of General Hospital Psychiatry has found that the majority of doctors fail to undergo treatment for mental illness, despite acknowledging the signs and symptoms that something is amiss.
According to ATTN: the study of more than 2,000 doctors found around half of the participants did believe they have dealt with a significant mental issue, and they chose not to seek treatment.
The Washington Post estimates that the root of the problem lies in medical licensing. They found that about 90% of medical boards have licensing applications that ask questions about the applicants mental health.
“Such questions are intended to protect the public, based on the idea that impaired or distressed physicians could endanger patients. A physician having hallucinations, for example, might not be able to focus or practice safely,” states the publication.
“Yet because applications can be used by medical boards to restrict licensing or mandate treatment, these questions may actually encourage silence.”
Professor of psychology Steven Lopez spoke to ATTN: and said that the stigma surrounding the mental health of medical professionals is a huge issue. He is part of a campaign to open the conversation.
“I think with people talking about it in both a general way, as well as in a personal way, we’re going to recognize mental illness is pretty ubiquitous,” he said. “It pertains to a lot of us. A lot of people. The more we talk about it, the more we can reduce the stigma that’s associated with it.
