Psychiatric illness in female physicians. Are high rates of depression an occupational hazard?
More than half of female physicians may experience a psychiatric illness during their lifetime. Depression is by far the most common such disorder, and the suicide rate is alarmingly high. However, female physicians appear to be at lower risk for substance abuse than male physicians. The medical profession could benefit from increased awareness of depression among female physicians and removal of barriers to treatment, such as stigma and discrimination against those with psychiatric illness.
North
C S
CS
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis 63110, USA. northc@psychiatry.wustl.edu
Ryall
J E
JE
D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology