Resident Has Perfect Answer to Whether Mental Illness Impairs His Ability to Work

The photo project “Humans of New York” is known for posting stories that inspire us, make us think and question our assumptions about what makes people who they are. A post shared this Tuesday was no different.

A man who’s currently in residency to become a psychiatrist shared he himself had lived through a period of depression and that the experience helped — not hurt — his ability to support his patients.

He said, at first, he didn’t realize he had depression because he was still “functioning” and going to work:

After the divorce I threw myself into work. I’m in residency to be a psychiatrist, and I found that I could forget my problems if I focused on my patients. But I’d come home feeling numb. I wouldn’t sleep well. I lost fifty pounds. I kept convincing myself I was fine because I was still being so productive.

When he reached the point of feeling suicidal, he knew it was time to get support. He reached out to his program director, who thankfully referred him to get help.

Now, he says, when he has to answer a question on his license application that asks, “Have you ever had a mental illness that impaired your ability to treat patients?” his answer will be, “No.” 

Being a patient has been a revelatory experience. It’s taught me how difficult it can be to verbalize what you’re feeling. And it’s taught me the power of denial, even for someone who studies the symptoms. When I began the medication it was like a veil had been lifted from my eyes. So much of what I know about depression, I learned by getting through it.

It’s important to note: Just because you have experienced a mental illness that at one point impaired your ability to treat patients, doesn’t mean you can’t be amazing, compassionate and responsible mental health provider. It’s true, we need to take care of ourselves so we can help others, but therapists and psychiatrists are still human. The more we embrace that many people — even providers themselves — struggle with their mental health, the more compassionate mental health care will be. 

Thanks to this man for sharing his story.