Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael F Myers

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini.   In previous episodes, we've had some guests that talked about the problem of substance abuse among physicians. We heard about an incredible film documentary on physician suicide and we heard from  physicians about their journey with burnout,  This is an important topic because it doesn't just impact doctors and their families, it also affects patients. According to one statistic, physician suicide affects 900,000 patients per year in the United States, and a physician dies by suicide in the U.S. on an average of one per day,  That speaks to a very larger problem in healthcare.  Recently, I read the book, Why Physicians Die by Suicide:  and I knew I had to have the author on since he has a unique insight into this problem. Today, my guest is Dr. Michael Myers, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at SUNY-Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn.  He's a specialist in physician health , a researcher, teacher, and consultant, as well as an author of nine books. He's a highly regarded speaker and lecturer on all aspects of physician well-being. Michael shares the story about his medical school roommate who committed suicide.  We find out how Dr. Myers started out in Internal Medicine and the game changing decision that made him take the leap into Psychiatry. Dr. Orsini and Dr. Meyers share their concerns on the “elephant in the room” problem, how we got into this crisis, . Many physicians are asking for help, but as Dr. Meyers explains there is work being done to make it easier and more permissible to ask for help. We dive into Dr. Meyers book, and he shares stories about the hundreds of families he interviewed, and how this changed his life,  To the family and friends of physicians out there, Dr. Meyers goes in depth on how they can identify the red flags  To the physicians  who are feeling depressed or having suicidal thoughts, he sheds some light on what the rules and laws are that protect them, and the best way to find the psychiatrist that is right for them.    If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Go ahead and download this episode now! Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Dr. Michael MyersFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt's All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:Michael F. Myers, MD WebsiteDr. Michael Myers LinkedInDr. Michael Myers TwitterWhy Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared by Michael F. Myers, MD

"I realized that training in psychiatry would give me the opportunity to understand suicide far better, and hopefully allow me to make a difference at an earlier stage. My exposure to psychiatry in medical school was clearly not enough. I was ill-equipped to fully grasp when individuals begin to have thoughts of suicide and when those thoughts progress into planning or researching methods – and then acting on them. As I thought back to the numbers of dead-on-arrival patients that I attended to in Detroit – dead by overdoses, self-inflicted gunshot wounds or stabbings, electrocution, asphyxia, drowning or jumping from tall buildings – I knew that I wanted to do more than pronounce people and fill out death certificates. Becoming a psychiatrist could help me save some of these despairing souls." Michael F. Myers is a psychiatrist and author of Becoming a Doctors’ Doctor: A Memoir. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Training in psychiatry would give me the opportunity to understand suicide far better." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/01/training-in-psychiatry-would-give-me-the-opportunity-to-understand-suicide-far-better.html)

Dr. Michael F. Myers, MD, author of Becoming a Doctors' Doctor, is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and recent past Vice-Chair of Education and Director of Training in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at SUNY-Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY. He is the author or co-author of eight other books, including Why Physicians Die By Suicide, The Handbook of Physician Health and Doctors’ Marriages. His publications also include more than 150 articles covering such topics as marital therapy, men and reproductive technology, divorce, sexual assault of women and men, AIDS, the stigma of psychiatric illness, gender issues in training and medical practice, the treatment of medical students and physicians, boundary crossing in the doctor-patient relationship, and ethics in medical education and suicide. He has received multiple awards for excellence in teaching, and has served on the editorial boards of several medical journals. Along with his continuing clinical research, teaching and outreach in the field of suicide, Dr. Myers is a recent past President of the New York City Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Myers lectures widely throughout North America and beyond on these subjects. www.michaelfmyers.com

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews a guest who is talking about a very important subject that is somewhat taboo in Western culture: physician suicide. If you caught episodes 263 and 264 with Dr. Gail Gazelle on physician burnout, you understand that the stress doctors experience in their professional lives can lead to a host of emotional and physical symptoms, including depression and risk of suicide. In today's conversation, Dr. Myers discusses this phenomenon and how it can be prevented. Whether or not you are a therapist or other helping professional, you'll find this is a very important and sensitive subject which Michael Myers describes in a down to earth and relatable way. Dr Michael F. Myers, author of Becoming a Doctor's Doctor, is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and recent past Vice-Chair of Education and Director of Training in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at SUNY-Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY. He is the author or co-author of eight other books, including Why Physicians Die By Suicide, The Handbook of Physician Health and Doctors’ Marriages. His publications also include more than 150 articles covering such topics as marital therapy, men and reproductive technology, divorce, sexual assault of women and men, AIDS, the stigma of psychiatric illness, gender issues in training and medical practice, the treatment of medical students and physicians, boundary-crossing in the doctor-patient relationship, and ethics in medical education and suicide. He has received multiple awards for excellence in teaching and has served on the editorial boards of several medical journals. Along with his continuing clinical research, teaching and outreach in the field of suicide, Dr. Myers is a recent past President of the New York City Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Myers lectures widely throughout North America and beyond on these subjects.  Resources Guest's website: http://www.michaelfmyers.com/index.htm ICYMI, episode 263 with Dr. Gail Gazelle is here And episode 264, part 2 with Dr. Gail Gazelle is here. Thanks to everyone who registered for the Trauma Therapist Community clinical consultation groups! Groups are full and registration is now closed. If you'd like to be the first to know when I reopen TTC groups for new members (likely late summer 2021), Sign up at this link! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio

In this episode, psychiatrist Michael F. Myers, MD, discusses the use of couples therapy in households comprised of single- and dual-physician families, the rate of depression among members of the medical field, and more. Intro :13 About Myers :18 The interview 1:27 How did you get into the field of psychiatry? How did you end up in a space with such a specialized area of expertise? 1:44 Have you noticed there’s a big difference in those different family dynamics between families with single-physician households and dual-physician households in those types of patients that you treat? 5:21 You actually decided in your career to also include couples therapy … how did you decide to incorporate it into your practice? 10:03 Have you found that the rate of depression among medical students, doctors is higher than the general population? Why are we seeing these high rates of depression? 14:20 How do we continue to move the needle against these stigmas of mental illness among medical health professionals? 18:16 Have you noticed more suicides among students and residents? Have you been asked to talk to people in that space? Is there something we can do to help support students and residents? 25:58 What has it been like in this last year in taking care of doctors? Has your practice changed at all and have you noticed things are different this year? 33:29 If someone could only listen to the last two minutes of this episode what would you want them to take away? 39:21 Where can people purchase your book, “Becoming a Doctor’s Doctor,” and how can people find you if they want to connect with you? 40:11 Michael F. Myers, MD, is professor of clinical psychiatry and recent past vice-chair of education and director of training in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at SUNY-Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY. He is also the author of “Becoming a Doctor’s Doctor.” We’d love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to Dr. Jain at oncologyoverdrive@healio.com. Follow us on Twitter @HemOncToday @ShikhaJainMD. Dr. Myers can be reached at his website, www.michaelfmyers.com, on Twitter @downstatedoctor and on Linkedin. Disclosures: Jain reports she is a paid freelance writer for Lippincott. Healio was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures for Myers at the time of publication.

Our guest is Dr. Michael F. Myers, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York. He's the author or co-author of several works, including "Why Physicians Die by Suicide." Dr. Myers joins us on StudioTulsa Medical Monday for a discussion of his new book, "Becoming a Doctors' Doctor: A Memoir." As was noted of this reflective and readable work by Dr. Dinesh Bhugra of King's College London: "In a humbling and humane account of one psychiatrist's journey through life [while] looking after doctors and medical students who develop mental illnesses, this book illustrates what clinical psychiatry is about.... A wonderful must-read for clinicians and educators."

PSYCHPEARLS PODCAST    LGBTQ issues are some of the most pressing and difficult topics facing psychiatrists today. In this podcast, Psychiatric Times interviews Michael F. Myers, MD, about gender and sexuality. Topics of discussion include:   1.     Current subjects in gender and sexuality, including gender dysmorphia 2.     How psychiatry’s understanding of sexuality and gender has changed over time 3.     His own experience as a doctor during the AIDS crisis   Find out more about Dr Myers and his experience treating patients during the AIDS crisis in his new memoir, Becoming a Doctors’ Doctor (https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Doctors-Doctor-Michael-Myers/dp/B08HGTJNS2/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) . Dr Myers is professor of Clinical Psychiatry and immediate past Vice-Chair of Education and Director of Training in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.  

Nobody’s perfect. Everyone needs to take care of their mental health, including physicians. Perfectionism in medicine can spill over into physicians’ personal finances. In this episode of the Finance for Physicians Podcast, Daniel Wrenne talks to Dr. Michael Myers about physician perfectionism. Michael is professor of clinical psychiatry at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center and author of eight books covering everything from physician suicide and mental health to physician marriages. Topics Discussed: Tyranny of Perfectionism: Extreme perfection can affect productivity Good Enough: Strive for excellence, but find and accept balanced portion Human Humor: Welcome to medical school, you’re (not) the best and brightest Imposter Syndrome: Message of perfectionism leads to inferiority Survive and Thrive: Perfectionism is expected, to err is human Demographics and Diagnoses: Diverse physician and patient population Signs: Worry too much, stay too late, struggle with competence and confidence? House of Medicine Stigma: Should doctors ask for or need help? Physician Personalities and Psychiatry: Self-resolve or seek help with triggers Money Management: Most physicians are not gifted in economics/business Marriage and Money: Keeping up with the Joneses linked to perfectionism Priviledge or Poverty: Physician’s upbringing is pressure to maintain or do better Married to Doctors: Say and do something in a loving manner; listen and get help Co-parenting: Compliment and cut back on child’s activities; time is not unlimited Links: Michael F. Myers, MD Tyranny of Perfectionism American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Imposter Syndrome Smart Marriages Gottman (Research Based Approach to Relationships) Married to Doctors (Lara McDeep) What My Shrink Would Say Podcast - Perfectionism Therapy for Black Girls - Perfectionism Thomas Curran - TED Talk: Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse Thomas Curran - Perfectionism Is Increasing, and That's Not Good News JAMA Psychology Today Finance for Physicians

Dr. Jeanette welcomes Dr. Michael F. Myers, M.D., the "Doctors' Doctor" to discuss Physician Suicide and Physician Health. Dr. Myers, author of Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned From Their Families and Others Who Cared, is a psychiatrist and specialist in physician mental health and supports his clients through professional and personal struggles. Are the parameters and boxes we have put the physician professional into, now exceeded the limits of what a person can possibly hold to exist in this life and be healthy? This is a conversation that is now on the table; how are we all participating in treating our healthcare professionals as we would wish to be treated? For more information on Dr. Myers: www.MichaelFMyers.com For a free newsletter and support with Dr. Jeanette visit: www.DrJeanetteGallagher.com

William Lynes, MD, joins guest host Michael F. Myers, MD, to discuss his struggles with medical and psychiatric hardships, his suicidality, and the eventual suicide attempt that changed his life. Dr. Myers is professor of clinical psychiatry, State University of New York, Brooklyn. Dr. Lynes, a retired urologist, author, and speaker/advocate on physician burnout and suicide, divides his professional life into two distinct eras: 1987-1998, during which he had a successful practice and happy life, and after 1998, when he spiraled downward medically and psychiatrically. After meeting another physician with a similar experience who had published her story of burnout and mental health struggles in 2015, Dr. Lynes decided to speak out. Eventually, he published an essay about his experience in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Take-home points Being open with close colleagues or supervisors about mental health struggles and/or burnout can provide a much-needed lifeline to struggling physicians. Addressing burnout and mental health diagnoses of physicians requires medical groups and institutions to provide access to psychiatric treatment from clinicians outside of the professional network in which the physician practices. Practicing medicine can be a 24/7 profession, and being “on” all the time can contribute to burnout. Lifestyle choices such as exercise, hobbies, family, and spirituality are all helpful outlets to address the constancy of practicing medicine. Giving in to the notion that you can treat yourself is not a good idea. Decreasing the stigma tied to mental illness can be helped by people with lived experience, such as Dr. Lynes. *  *  *   References Lynes W. The last day. Ann Intern Med. 2016 May 3;164(9):631. Myers MF and Freeland A. The mentally ill physician: Issues in assessment, treatment and advocacy. Can J Psychiatry. 2019 Dec 6;64(12):823-37. Forbes MP et al. Optimizing the treatment of doctors with mental illness. Aust NZ Psychiatry. 2019 Feb;53(2):106-9. Myers MF. “Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned From Their Families and Others Who Cared.” 2017 Feb 14. (Self-published). Bird JL. “Using Narrative Writing to Enhance Healing.” Medical Information Science Reference, 2019. *  *  *   For more MDedge Podcasts, go to mdedge.com/podcasts Email the show: podcasts@mdedge.com

Episode Notes Dr. Michael F. Myers and Carla Fine, co-authors of Touched by Suicide: Hope and Healing After Loss, share personal experiences of dealing with suicide and discuss the importance of being honest and open about mental health in the medical community.  About Dr. Myers Dr. Myers is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY and the Immediate Past Vice Chair Education and Director of Training in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is the author or co-author of eight books and over 150 articles, book chapters, letters, book reviews and 8 videotapes covering a range of topics in psychiatry. His two most recent books are “Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned From Their Families and Others Who Cared” and “The Physician As Patient: A Clinical Handbook for Mental Health Professionals” (co-authored with Dr. Glen Gabbard) In an effort to “practice what he preaches” he keeps fit by swimming and riding his bike around Central Park. He’s also been taking weekly piano lessons for an undisclosed length of time. He’s been gently advised by many significant others not to quit his day job! To learn more about Dr. Myers visit, http://www.michaelfmyers.com/ About Carla Fine Carla Fine is the author of nine books, including No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One; Touched by Suicide: Hope and Healing After Loss; Strong, Smart, and Bold: Empowering Girls for Life; and Married to Medicine: An Intimate Portrait of Doctors' Wives. She lectures frequently throughout the U.S. and internationally about how suicide affects those who have been left behind. Carla lives in New York City and her website is www.carlafine. Resources No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving The Suicide Of A Loved One by Carla Fine Touched by Suicide: Hope and Healing After Loss by Michael F. Myers and Carla Fine You can find the entire transcript and learn how to support the Married To Doctors Podcast by visiting www.marriedtodoctors.com

https://vimeo.com/257422889 (Ep. 004 - R - Doctors Marriages Part 2. Dr. Michael Myers) from https://vimeo.com/user36600757 (E T) on https://vimeo.com (Vimeo). In Part 2 of our interview we continue with Dr. Myers discussing physician suicide, why it occurs, and how the fraternity of medicine can help to change this outcome. We also discuss the difficult situations of the chronic illness and death of a child and how to cope with such a devastating tragedy. Why Physicians Die by Suicide Join our Facebook Group today! https://www.facebook.com/groups/thephysiciansroad/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thephysiciansroad/)

https://vimeo.com/257172829 (Ep. 003 - R - Doctors' Marriages Pt. 1 - Michael F. Myers M.D.) from https://vimeo.com/user36600757 (E T) on https://vimeo.com (Vimeo). Dr. Michael F. Myers is the preeminent clinician when it comes to Physician relationships.  He has spent his whole career caring for medical students, residents, fellows, and attendings and their relationships.  We start with why physician marriages are different and how to identify potential areas of concern early before they fester.  We then move through the book looking at each type of physician and their particular relationship dynamics.  Medical Students/Resident marriages  Male Physician marriages Female Physician marriages Gay/Lesbian Physician marriages Older Physicians marriages heading into retirement We then go into Separation, Divorce and Remarriage and highlight blended families and how to effectively make that work.  Lastly we talk about effective treatment options and strategies to help distressed relationships.  Join our Facebook Group today! https://www.facebook.com/groups/thephysiciansroad/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thephysiciansroad/)

Dr. Jeanette welcomes Dr. Michael F. Myers the "Doctors' Doctor" to discuss Physician Suicide and physician health.  Dr. Myers, author of Why Physicians Die by Suicide:  Lessons Learned From Their Families and Others Who Cared, is a psychiatrist and specialist in physician health and supports his clients through professional and personal struggles.  Are the parameters and boxes we have put the physician professional into, now exceeded the limits of what a person can possibly hold to exist in this life and be healthy? This is a conversation that is now on the table, how are we all participating in treating our healthcare professionals as which we would also wish to be treated? For more information visit:  www.MichaelFMyers.com For personal support visit:  www.DrJeanetteGallagher.com

"Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared" Physicians are known to be a group of professionals who are at risk of taking their own lives. In this easy-to-read book, Dr. Michael Myers, a psychiatrist and specialist in physician health, attempts to explain the mystery of why some doctors, despite their calling and the adoration of their families, patients, students and colleagues, perish by suicide. In his easy-to-read book, he combines the powerful and gripping insights of dozens of bereaved people whom he interviewed for this project with disguised stories from his decades long clinical practice to shed some light on this national tragedy. The stigma attached to mental illness in doctors is ubiquitous and pernicious – and, because untreated illness is one of the major drivers to suicide, Dr. Myers argues that stigma must be fought with urgency and might. He makes across-the-board recommendations in an effort to prevent suicide in physicians and concludes that everyone has a role to play in saving a doctor’s life. The book is about heartbreak, loss, prevailing, growth, passion and hope. It’s a book for doctors themselves, their families, those who train them, those who treat them and those who care about them. www.buildgrowandenjoy.com

Doctors are dropping like flies these days. Indeed, at least one doctor commits suicide every single day in America! And these are more likely the better doctors - those who have become depressed and disillusioned by the changes in medicine that have turned them into hamsters on a treadmill-to-nowhere but burnout! Today's guest, Michael F Myers, M.D., a 'doctor's doctor', has devoted himself to preventing this downward spiral in his own patients and in preventing physician suicide in general. His latest book is Why Physicians Die By Suicide: Lessons Learned From Their Families and Others Who Cared. Hear the most common reasons why doctors kills themselves and the most common emotions felt by those they leave behind.