Many surgeons experience depression and suicidal thoughts but seek no help

A new study has found that many surgeons have suicidal thoughts but very few seek mental health assistance.

Among other life troubles, surgeons experience additional stress from medical errors, general depression, or being “burned out” from working. Additionally, the study revealed that surgeons not only think suicidal thoughts, but also debate whether or not to follow-through more than the general population, yet they are not as likely to seek professional mental help.

Many surgeons were afraid of job security if deciding to seek professional mental help, so instead did nothing about sometimes monumental stresses.

More than 5 percent of surgeons explained to have suicidal thoughts recently, and the general public has listed about 3 percent of individuals having suicidal thoughts recently.

Some surgeons experiencing depressive or suicidal thoughts even write prescriptions for themselves. In fact, nearly 9 percent of surgeons who have taken antidepressants in the last year actually wrote their own prescriptions.

For the study, almost 8,000 surgeons were questioned. The study can be found in Archives of Surgery.