Podcasts about others who cared

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

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

Dr. Michael Myers became a survivor of suicide at the age of 19, when he lost his friend to suicide.  Since then, he has dedicated his life and profession to suicide awareness, support and prevention.  His story reminds us that there's light and hope at the end of the tunnel.   Dr. Michael 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. He is the author or co-author of eight books the most recent of which are “Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared” and “Touched by Suicide: Hope and Healing After Loss” (with Carla Fine). He is a recent past president (and emeritus board member) of the New York City Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and a member of the Clinician Survivors Task Force of the American Association of Suicidology. Dr Myers became a survivor of suicide at the age of 19 when he lost one of his medical school roommates to suicide. He lectures extensively throughout North America and beyond. http://www.michaelfmyers.com/ mmyers0609@aol.com 800-273-TALK (24 hour suicide hotline) tags:  Dr, Doctor, Michael, Myers, michaelfmyers, psychiatry, physician, suicide, prevention, suicidology, Why Physicians Die by Suicide, Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared, Touched by Suicide, Hope and Healing After Loss, storiesthatempower.com, stories that empower, empowering stories, empowerment stories, stories of empowerment, stories of empowering others, self empowerment stories, stories empower, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, uplift, uplifting, upliftment, hope, light, Sean

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

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.