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Suicidal Behaviors in Physicians

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Physician Mental Health and Well-Being

Part of the book series: Integrating Psychiatry and Primary Care ((IPPC))

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Abstract

Physicians comprise an at-risk group for suicide and there is no evidence that an improvement or resolution is in sight. Nevertheless, there is now significant research into the internal and external forces that put doctors at risk of harming themselves. This chapter presents an overview of our understanding regarding suicidal behaviors in physicians and the centrality of early intervention, which includes both comprehensive assessment and broad-based treatments. By creating open discussions about a taboo subject and learning from loved ones of doctors who have died by suicide, we are chipping away at the pernicious stigma that prevents physicians from embracing life-saving psychiatric and psychological treatments.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, 11203, NY, USA

    Michael F. Myers M.D.

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  1. Michael F. Myers M.D.
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Correspondence to Michael F. Myers M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Kirk J. Brower

  2. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Michelle B. Riba

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Myers, M.F. (2017). Suicidal Behaviors in Physicians. In: Brower, K., Riba, M. (eds) Physician Mental Health and Well-Being. Integrating Psychiatry and Primary Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55583-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55583-6_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-55582-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-55583-6

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