If suicide is a sign of mental illness why do so many psychiatrists kill themselves?

Answer 1

I sometimes wonder if becoming a psychiatrist is a sign of mental illness, it is well known that the the highest rates of job related suicide is found in this career. Also most people get into it to sort out their own problems and if they dont then spending all day everyday listening to everyone elses must push you over the edge.

Answer 2

Why do you assume that psychiatrists are above mental illness? Heart specialists have heart attacks, foot doctors get ingrown toenails.
I would think that even after all the schooling they have had, it must be a very hard job to sit and listen to people pour out their problems on a constant basis. Some people are mentally sound, but go through analysis to stay that way. Others go because they need medication that only this type of doctor can prescribe with knowledge. There are also the patients that require more time and energy than the others, the ones who are in the hospital often on suicide attempts. I was told that psychiatrists must see their own therapist/psychiatrist on a regular basis not only to discuss their patients, but to discuss their own lives, and how they are reacting emotionally to some of their patients. I know I would not want the job, no matter how much money they paid me.

Answer 3

Just by reading the answers I can tell how misinformed or ignorant some people tend to be.
Psychiatry is a science, a field in Medicine. It takes many years of study and a lot of patience to become successful.
The first thing that should be underlined here is that a Psychiatrist is a human being as well dealing with any kind of issues everyone else deals with. Just because he/she can diagnose a psychological disturbed case and can possibly treat it does not mean that he can that easily distinguish his short comings and emotional problems.
There is no person that can be subjective with his own life.
Usually hairdressers have pretty bad hair, psychiatrists have chaotic lives but lets not generalize

Answer 4

To the best of my knowledge, suicide is not a sign of mental illness and i have not heard of any psychiatrist killing self.

suicide is caused by severe depression or discouragement which the person in question seems not to have solution at sight. But wise ones seek counsel and advise from friends.

Answer 5

By doing something like psychiatry or psychology, you have to be very emotionally strong. Its a very intense and very draining job, and one that is not to be undertaken lightly. A lot of crap goes on that they have to deal with, day in and day out, and not forgetting that most psychs have had to deal with suicidal patients as well, which is even more challenging.

Suicide isn't a "sign" of mental illness as such, its a development, but not a diagnoses criteria within itself. However, a lot of mental disorders are related quite strongly with suicide; Depression, Borderline personality disorder, OCD, Bipolar, alcoholism, BDD.

Just because a doctor is a doctor, it doesn't mean that they are omnipotent, it just means that they have got the neccessary qualifications to do the job that they are doing.

Answer 6

I have never heard of a psychiatrist killing themselves, nor do I believe that suicide is DEFINITELY a sign of mental illness (I put it in capitals, because obviously it is a symptom for a lot of people).

So I'm not really sure about your question other than to say I don't agree!

Answer 7

Suicide is not only indicative of mental illness; but also mental stress. More common with Depression, Schizophrenia. Psychiatrists are also humans first. So, they are also prone to ups and downs of emotion.

Answer 8

Them being psychiatrists does not make them 'mentally well' by default. Many psychiatrists have their own psychiatrists, and if I'm wrong about that, then all psychiatrists have their own psychiatrists. Besides, wouldn't you get depressed after hearing so many sob stories? Personally, I would just quit the job, and not quit life.

Much luv and stay safe.

Angel

Answer 9

I don't think that there are a lot of psychiatrists who kill themselves. However, if they do, then they are suffering from a mental illness and have chosen a permanent solution for a temporary problem...

Answer 10

Most people go into psychiatric practice due to there own mental illness they are trying to find the answer to the problems they have. Doctors have the highest rate of suicide then any other profession this is due to the fact they have to knowledge of the drugs needed to do the job correctly.