Psychiatrist attitudes toward self-treatment of their own depression.
BACKGROUND
Self-treatment and treatments of friends or relatives is a controversial issue, tolerated by some and discouraged by others, including professionals. The author studied the attitudes toward self-treatment of depression among psychiatrists in Michigan.


METHODS
A questionnaire asking whether the psychiatrist would or did self-treat for depression was mailed to 830 members of the Michigan Psychiatric Society.


RESULTS
The response rate was 68.3% (567 psychiatrists). Almost 43% of responders would consider self-medication or would self-medicate if afflicted with mild/moderate depression. Seven percent would self-medicate or consider self-medication for severe depression or if suicidal ideation became a component of one's depression. In the past, 15.7% responders treated themselves for depression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that a considerable number of psychiatrists would treat themselves for depression, possibly because of fear of stigma or fear of a permanent record, or other reasons.
Balon
Richard
R
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich., USA. rbalon@wayne.edu
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011570:Psychiatry; D012648:Self Care; D012651:Self Medication; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires