Doctors spend their careers caring for others. They are trained to stay calm under pressure, push through exhaustion, and put patients first. But that same training can make it hard for physicians to notice, or admit, when their own mental health is suffering.
Depression in doctors is more common than many people realize, up to 66.5% in physicians, and it often goes untreated. Below, we look at the risk factors that make physicians vulnerable, the signs to watch for, and when it is time to reach out for support.
Research has found that physicians, residents, and medical students experience depression at higher rates than the general population. The risk often starts early. Studies of medical trainees suggest that depressive symptoms rise sharply during the first year of residency, when long shifts, high stakes, and little sleep collide.
The most serious concern is suicide. Physicians die by suicide at higher rates than the general public, and the gap is especially wide for women in medicine. These numbers are a reminder that depression in doctors is a real health issue, not a personal weakness or a sign that someone is not cut out for the job.
No single cause explains why a physician becomes depressed. Instead, several pressures tend to build on one another:
Doctors know the textbook symptoms of depression. Recognizing them in yourself is much harder, especially when long days already leave you tired and stressed. Pay attention if several of these last for two weeks or more:
Colleagues and loved ones may notice changes first, such as withdrawal, more frequent mistakes, or a loss of the person’s usual warmth or humor. If you see these signs in a fellow physician, a private, caring check-in can make a real difference.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. Physicians can also call the free, confidential Physician Support Line at 1-888-409-0141 to talk with a volunteer psychiatrist.
Even when they recognize the signs, many physicians put off treatment. Common reasons include:
Getting help early protects your health, your relationships, and your ability to keep doing work you care about.
It is time to talk with a mental health professional if symptoms last more than two weeks, affect your work or home life, or leave you feeling hopeless. You do not need to wait until you are in crisis. Treating depression early often leads to better results.
Effective options include talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and antidepressant medication. Some physicians, though, do not find enough relief from medication, or find the side effects hard to manage alongside demanding work.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment that is FDA cleared for major depressive disorder in adults who have not found enough relief from antidepressant medication. TMS uses magnetic pulses, similar in strength to those used in an MRI, to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood.
You stay awake and alert during each session, with no anesthesia, so you can drive yourself and return to work right after. A typical course is five sessions per week over about six weeks. Results vary from person to person, and the most commonly reported side effect is mild scalp discomfort that tends to ease after the first week.
At Advantage TMS, we know clinical schedules rarely fit a 9-to-5 window. That is why we offer evening and Saturday appointments. We also pair TMS with free group therapy and lifestyle support on sleep, nutrition, and movement, all in a calm, private, and welcoming setting.
Depression in doctors is common, serious, and treatable. Physicians deserve the same compassionate, judgment-free care they give their patients every day. Reaching out is not a sign that you have failed. It is a step toward feeling like yourself again.
If you are a physician in the Clearwater or Tampa Bay area struggling with depression, our women-owned practice is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out if TMS is right for you.
Mata, D. A., Ramos, M. A., Bansal, N., Khan, R., Guille, C., Di Angelantonio, E., & Sen, S. (2015). Prevalence of Depression and Depressive Symptoms Among Resident Physicians: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA, 314(22), 2373–2383. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.15845
Obeng Nkrumah, S., Adu, M. K., Agyapong, B., da Luz Dias, R., & Agyapong, V. I. O. (2025). Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and burnout among physicians and postgraduate medical trainees: a scoping review of recent literature. Frontiers in public health, 13, 1537108. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1537108
Our office is closed December 25th for Christmas and January 1st for New Years Day. If you have any questions or urgent requests, please email us at info@advantagementalhealth.com.
Please fill out the form if you have a patient interested in learning more about TMS treatment. We appreciate the referral and partnership.
Next Steps:
• Our TMS Coordinator will contact the patient to schedule a complimentary information session.
• If the patient decides to seek TMS treatment with Advantage TMS, we will communicate with you when necessary and the patient will continue to work with you while receiving treatment.
Questions?
• Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 727-600-8093 or info@advantagementalhealth.com
