Citation

Lindeman S, Heinanen H, Vaisanen E, Lonnqvist J. Arch. Suicide Res. 1998; 4(2): 135-141.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide mortality among medical doctors is significantly higher compared with other professionals and the general population in Finland as well as in many other industrialized countries, concerning especially female doctors. The National Suicide Prevention Project in Finland covered all suicides that happened during one year (1.4.1987-31.3.1988). The data were collected and analysed by the psychological autopsy method. It is possible that the physicians who committed suicide tended to have an emphasized reliance on professional identity, in which case a crucial internal resource would have been a sense of autonomy. A variety of problems (physical or mental illness, professional setbacks) could then be perceived as threats to the doctor identity and a sense of autonomy. Moreover, doctors often preferred to medicate themselves instead of seeking outside medical help. It is possible that medical professionals easily resort to chemical forms of coping, which increase the risk of suicide.