In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, we are sharing stories about physician burnout to help raise awareness about this epidemic on the rise. If you’d like to submit a story, please email jpellettere@gold-foundation.org. All submissions will remain anonymous. Learn more about physician burnout and how to get involved in raising awareness.
Most people would consider me a happy person, but I reached low points during both medical school and residency.
I remember feeling overwhelmed by stress and the pressure to succeed. There was one night when I was so miserable and distraught that I cried myself to sleep. Talking with my classmates or co-residents helped me realize I wasn’t alone, and this in itself made me feel a little better. I also tried to take one day at a time and incorporate things that I enjoyed (such as dinner with a friend) into my schedule.
The thing is, I’m human, and both medical school and residency challenged me in ways that I could not have prepared myself for. Looking back now, I would say these experiences have helped me empathize with patients going through difficult times. And the light at the end of the tunnel (being an attending physician) has been better and more fulfilling than I could have imagined.
In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, we are sharing stories about physician burnout to help raise awareness about this epidemic on the rise. If you’d like to submit a story, please email jpellettere@gold-foundation.org. All submissions will remain anonymous. Learn more about physician burnout and how to get involved in raising awareness. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
