depression/bipolar in med school

[bipolarivy]

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Does anyone know of any doctors/med-students who are bipolar? I sometimes wonder if I am the only one ///😳

 

[Zenfudge]

Does anyone know of any doctors/med-students who are bipolar? I sometimes wonder if I am the only one ///😳

Depression and bipolar are undoubtedly present among medical students.

I do not know of any data that addresses whether the prevalence is higher in medical professional vs. "civilians" unless one were to presumptiously infer so from the higher suicide rates (which have been demonstrated).

I would think that functional hypomanics (bipolar IIs, cyclothymics) would be more prevalent in medical school since they are less likely to abruptly destroy their lives in short order from a manic spree, yet would be able to amass the tremendous amounts of energy required to do well in medical school.

There is a well-known bipolar medical researcher that is known to pump out a tremendous amount of publications in spurts and then disappear from the academic landscape for a few months only to prolifically return again. You don't have to look far to see similar traits among a class of med students.

 

[VisionaryTics]

The technical term is Manic Disorder

No, it's not.

 

[Renaissance Man]

The technical term is Manic Disorder

Very helpful post.

OP, my preceptor for my medical school group just told us about a student who got into some trouble 3rd year of medical school due to his/her periods of mania and then depression. The student got medication and therapy and supposedly graduated and is a practicing MD. This is n=1, but ironic that we just talked about it a couple days back.

 

[Zenfudge]

No, it's not.

C'mon, they are on the debate team.

 

[Siggy]

I do not know of any data that addresses whether the prevalence is higher in medical professional vs. "civilians" unless one were to presumptiously infer so from the higher suicide rates (which have been demonstrated).

My understanding is that suicide rates (unsuccessful + "complete") between physicians and the general public is about the same, but physicians have a higher completion rate. After all, who knows better how to disable a car than the mechanic (since we aren't the maker).

I would think that functional hypomanics (bipolar IIs, cyclothymics) would be more prevalent in medical school since they are less likely to abruptly destroy their lives in short order from a manic spree, yet would be able to amass the tremendous amounts of energy required to do well in medical school.

This is what the preceptor for my psych clerkship said, with emphasis on specialties like surgery with long continuous case lengths (increased energy, decreased sleep would be beneficial).

 

[Zenfudge]

My understanding is that suicide rates (unsuccessful + "complete") between physicians and the general public is about the same, but physicians have a higher completion rate. After all, who knows better how to disable a car than the mechanic (since we aren't the maker).

Haha, good analogy. I've also heard this as well in addition to the female physician rate being markedly higher (which the paper below talks about).

is what the preceptor for my psych clerkship said, with emphasis on specialties like surgery with long continuous case lengths (increased energy, decreased sleep would be beneficial).

Interesting, thanks! Not a surprise about surgeons, though I imagine that would be tough to study. Did your preceptor also tell you that psychiatrists have the highest rate of suicide among specialists? I need to find a reference for that one, but I heard that floated around on my clerkship as well.