A poem dedicated to those who work from dawn to dusk and beyond! An early start decides my fate For ‘Mount Backlog’ lies in wait Whilst the sane are still in bed My only chance to get ahead Days off, I’ve spent to no avail Seeking ‘catch-up’ Holy Grail Declaring ‘I’m not really here!’ By … Continue reading Mount Backlog
Category: stories
A post by another GP who wishes to remain anonymous: A Gay friend once described to me his experience of ‘coming out ‘ to his parents. His mum’s first response “What will everyone say at church?” He was in his late twenties and had kept the truth about his sexuality from his family since his … Continue reading Coming Out
By the same author as the poem about Burnout. This is the second in her series. “Experiential Practice” Depression, Insomnia, OCD Anorexia, Stress, Anxiety A minor expert you will see If you consult this GP For they have all afflicted me With these conditions of the mind I like to think that you would find … Continue reading A poem about “Experiential Practice”
Following on from the previous story, "It's Ok to be mentally unwell as a GP; you can get better," here are some strategies that have enabled this GP to stay successfully in work after being unwell and that have helped her to stay "well". My tips Be open & honest with colleagues "I would advise … Continue reading Staying well: some strategies that helped me
This story really moved me. It shows real courage, determination and inspiration. As the author observes, her story illustrates that "It's okay to be mentally unwell and be a GP. You can get better." She hopes to help people realise that "sometimes burn out symptoms could be undiagnosed anxiety/depression which would be amenable to treatment" as … Continue reading “It’s okay to be mentally unwell and be a GP. You can get better.”
This poem and its introduction have been written by a doctor who found poetry the best way to share her experiences. She has written a series of poems. This is her first. "For years I kept silent, afraid of the consequences of admitting how hard I found being a GP. When I eventually “burnt-out”, I … Continue reading A poem about burnout
Recognise. Prevent. Recover. 