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Originally Posted On: https://gailfiorepa.wordpress.com/2024/08/02/gail-fiore-on-medical-malpractice-stress-related-suicide/

Gail Fiore on Medical Malpractice Stress Related Suicide

It is not unusual to feel suicidal when involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Do you? Are you drowning?

Psychic pain can hurt as much as any physical pain.

Are you struggling with the stigma of others discovering that you are suffering with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation ? Are you fearful you will be perceived as weak and not in control ? Are you worried this will hurt your professional reputation? But, who has to know ? No one ! The helping professional you choose is required by law to keep your communications confidential.

Although your pain and circumstances feel inescapable, the truth is they are temporary. Medical Malpractice Stress Syndrome ( MMSS ) is a normal reaction to an abnormal circumstance. Everyone feels suicidal at some time in their life, especially when experiencing burnout. Even further, you add to this the stressor of a lawsuit that not only threatens your career and financial status but also attacks you at the very core of your identity, that of being a physician. Are you able to identify what your pain is tied to ? It could be one or more of many things : substance abuse, chronic stress, chronic fatigue, feelings of shame, failure, guilt, self-doubt,having to deal with this trauma all alone or something else. Although it may not feel like it right now, whatever triggers your suicidal thoughts and feelings, whatever is hurting you, it can be resolved. I know. I have been there.

Things are different now. The medical community understands and encourages physicians to pursue emotional support. Many of the obstacles that were once there have been removed. As you may be well aware, it has been researched and determined that there is a strong correlation between invasive mental health questions on licensure and renewal applications and a physician’s likelihood or reluctance to seek help. Hence, in response, these invasive mental health questions have been modified to focus on current functioning in 21 states, although 29 states still have not done so.Regardless of the state you live in, an avenue open to you is to pursue emotional support via coaching with an experienced, psychological professional well – trained in the dynamics of litigation stress.The good news about coaching is that it is not regulated by licensure and therefore is non – reportable. As a final thought, you may wish to locate professional litigation stress coaching specializing in a protocol specifically designed to resolve MMSS effectively and efficiently.

You are not alone. You do not have to tough it out.

Reach out now and get help.

About Gail Fiore:

Gail Fiore owner and founder of Winning Focus, LLC. Gail is very experienced with over 38 years in the fields of mental health and business. She owned and ran an employee assistance program and private practice for many years.