I would like some resources about mental health for physicians,
particularly depression caused by stresses related to the medical
practice (such as the threat of malpractice, the intensity of patient
care, and financial issues).  I am more interested in the experiences
of doctors who "bottle it all up" and then have a breaking point,
rather than in doctors who do things like engage in ongoing alcohol or
drug abuse.

The goal of my search is to get information/resources which will help
a family member (a doctor) and the rest of us manage this kind of
problem. Therefore, I am more interested in information related to
"coping/management" rather than just a catalogue of the mental health
problems physicians face, although some relevant background
information would be useful.

I would like to get information on both:
- online resources
- links to potential organizations, centers, etc. that our family can
connect with for follow-up support

I have done some searches on this subject already but am having
trouble finding things about the specific mental health issues faced
by physicians, particularly experienced physicians (rather than
medical students or young doctors).

Please let me know if any clarification is needed.

Hi gusto12-ga!

Here are some online resources pertaining to Mental Health for
Physicians.
I have separated the information into 3 different categories for your
convenience.

Bear in mind that occupational differences aside, the support and
resources available for people in general who suffer from depression
are probably worth looking into as well.

If you have any questions about the information in which I have
provided, feel free to request a clarification of the answer. Please
allow me enough time to respond to your request before you rate my
answer.

Thanks so much and best of luck to you!
chellphill-ga


Articles:

http://www.acponline.org/journals/news/dec00/depression.htm
Clinical depression: more than just residency blues

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/457429
Confronting Physician Depression and Suicide: A Newsmaker Interview
With Morton M. Silverman, MD

http://www.turner-white.com/pdf/hp_feb00_deprephys.pdf
]The Depressed Physician: A Different Kind of Impairment

http://archfami.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/8/5/448
Physician Mental Health and Substance Abuse

http://www.healthscout.com/static/news/8005767.html
Mental Health of Doctors

http://www.dmh.org.au/dmh/literature_review.html#
Personality factors in doctors, Mental disorders in doctors,
Depression, Suicide, Alcohol abuse, Drug dependency, Factors in
Doctors’ Environment: Occupational Stress, Factors in Doctors’
Treatment, Doctor-patient factors, Treating doctor factors

http://www.stigma.org/everyfamily/rlethem.html
MENTAL ILLNESS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS AND DOCTORS: FITNESS TO PRACTICE

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11465244&dopt=Abstract
Identifying the Impaired physician (abstract)

http://www.phpoma.org/pdf/Sept00.pdf
Physician suicide, risk factors and prevention

http://www.phpoma.org/pdf/May99.pdf
Signs of Distress

http://www.phpoma.org/pdf/Apr97.pdf
Reaching out to the Depressed Physician

http://www.phpoma.org/pdf/Nov01.pdf
http://www.phpoma.org/pdf/Jan02.pdf
http://www.phpoma.org/pdf/Jun02.pdf
Physician Burnout, parts I II & III

http://www.asam.org/phc/coleman.htm
RESTRICTING MEDICAL LICENSES BASED ON ILLNESS IS WRONG -
REPORTING MAKES IT WORSE

http://www.aafp.org/fpm/20000400/39over.html
Compassion Fatigue

http://www.aafp.org/fpm/970400fm/lead.html
How Close Are You to Burnout?

http://crs.uvm.edu/gopher/nerl/personal/stress/a.html
Managing stress, an Introduction

http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0495/tmr2burn0495.html
Beware of Professional Burnout

http://physiciansguide.com/docstres.html
Physician's Guide to the internet: Managing Stress

http://www.slmms.org/text/Publications/2000/February/physician_stess_it's_really_a_choice.htm
Physician Stress: It’s Really a Choice


Organizations:

http://www.afsp.org/education/physician/index1.htm
PHYSICIAN DEPRESSION and SUICIDE PREVENTION PROJECT

http://www.dmh.org.au/
Doctors Mental Health Program (an Australian organization)

http://www.ismanet.org/html/assistance_program.html
ISMA’s Physician Assistance Program
"The ISMA Physician Assistance Program (PAP) addresses the needs of
physicians impaired by chemical dependence, psychiatric disorders and
physician disability, as well as the disruptive physician."

http://www.massmed.org/phs/
Physician's Health Services

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/5705.html
Federation of State Physician Health Programs

http://www.texmed.org/cme/phn/psb/default.asp
Committee on Physician Health and Rehabilitation Courses

http://www.cpwb.org/
The Center for Professional Well Being
(physician stress management center)
Center for Professional Well-Being
    Colony West Professional Park
    21 W. Colony Place, Suite 150
    Durham, NC 27705
    919-489-9167

Center for Professional and Personal Renewal
    540 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Suite 208
    Los Gatos, CA 95030
    800-377-1096

http://www.healthyselfprograms.com/
Heal Thyself, Programs for Physicians, Nurses and other Healthcare
professionals.

http://www.healerwarrior.com/hcp.htm
Empowering Health care providers

Resources:

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/6020.html
Physician's Health programs, listed by state

http://www.amsa.org/adv/wim/depression.cfm
Women in Medicine Depression Resource Guide

http://www.medicalspouse.org/
The international Medical Spouse Network
(Might be helpful for other family members as well as spouse)

http://www.medicalspouse.com/iMSN/modules.php?name=Downloads
Help listings by state. (depending on which state you live in,
there could be some valuable resources here)

http://www.css.edu/users/dswenson/web/MED-CI/ci-selfcare.html
Crisis Intervention: Stress Management & Self Care
List of resources aimed at Physicians

Search Terms Used:
"depression in doctors"
"physician depression"
"physician mental health"
"impaired physician" 
"physician burnout"
"depressed doctors"
"stressed physicians"
"physician health"

Search Engine Used:
Google

This is exactly what was needed.  Many thanks.