A large part of psychiatrists is confronted with the suicide of a patient. For these professionals, it is sometimes difficult to find support.
Suicide is one of the situations that psychiatrists may face during their career. According to a survey, presented at the congress of the Brain, 90% of them have experienced or will experience the suicide of one of their patients. For many, the aftermath is very difficult, they may suffer from post-traumatic stress, a lack of support or even feel isolated.
Traumatic events
The results of the survey were revealed in January 2020. In total, nearly 800 psychiatrists answered the questions. Of the 9 out of 10 who have been or will be confronted with the suicide of a patient, a quarter present post-traumatic reactions. “There is also a sense of guiltexplains the author of the study, Edouard Laune, to France Inter, they feel that they are responsible for what happened.” For some professionals, this can cause depression or burnout. The event remains in any case traumatic. In the newspaper MarianneAlain Meunier, psychiatrist, confides: “Two of my patients killed themselves. I was close to one of them. I never managed to mourn… I always have them in mind.”
The professional future in question
This may have consequences for the future of psychiatrists. The survey shows that 20% of doctors faced with this situation are considering changing jobs. For the author of the study, the practice of psychiatry is necessarily influenced. In particular, he mentions a “tendency to hospitalize patients more” and “difficulties in giving leaves to hospitalized patients, because most suicides take place during leaves”.
How do I find support?
For 37% of the psychiatrists questioned, no support was provided by their colleague. While listening meetings can be more easily set up in hospitals, for liberal professionals, this can be problematic. Only 4% of people exposed to suicide in their work follow therapy afterwards. The course of consultation can sometimes be difficult to pass, but other tools can help. Since 1er January 2018, a helpline number is made available to doctors by the National Council of the Order of Physicians and the Association for Professional Assistance to Doctors and Caregivers (AAPMS). In France, there are approximately 15,000 active psychiatrists.
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