Coping with Emotional Pain: Getting Help for Yourself and Colleagues

Abstract

The burnout rate among my vocation of orthopedic surgery is inordinately high (Arora et al., ANZ J Surg 83:512–515, 2013), and the steady erosion of autonomy has taken its toll on the psychological well-being of all medical practitioners. Higher levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are becoming manifest in the medical profession (Aach et al., Ann Intern Med 116:245–254, 1992). Indeed, these are challenging times to be a physician (Fig. 11.1). Certainly, most of us have personally endured substantial emotional pain at some point during our careers. I am confident most of us have witnessed a fellow attending physician or resident in emotional distress. Whether it is perfectionism or emotional detachment, physicians are at particular risk for emotional strife.

When a physician suffers emotionally, the collateral damage extends to patients, friends, family, and loved ones (Sargent et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 94:e145, 2012). Behavioral problems and dysfunctional thinking, left untreated, tend to worsen over time, and may lead to destructive behaviors that will invariably infiltrate one’s personal and professional life. In fact, a survey found that 1 in 16 US surgeons reported suicidal ideation in the previous year. The survey also found that only 26% of surgeons with suicidal thoughts sought psychiatric or psychological help (Shanafelt et al., Arch Surg 146:54–62, 2011), compared to 44% in the general population.

Tomorrow, Try This

• Ask yourself, “How happy am I?” If life has lost its zest or passion, if relationships are arid, and if your vocation is drudgery, seek help.

• Listen carefully to your body. What is it trying to say?

• Be mindful of changes in colleagues or friends, and of symptoms that you might be experiencing. Withdrawal, personality changes, and angry outbursts in a friend may warrant a conversation or even an intervention.

• Talk to your spouse or partner and ask for honest feedback about your emotional state. If you have a serious concern for a colleague, tactfully contact their spouse/partner and inquire about the emotional climate at home.