fbpx

I Saved My Life By Risking My Career

I Saved My Life By Risking My Career

Jillian Rigert, DMD, MD shares her personal struggles and teaches us that nothing in our career is more important than our life. Nothing.

Early into my military career and as an oral and maxillofacial surgery resident, I started to acknowledge the fact that, during periods of sleep deprivation that were initially inherent to my military training hours and then surgery call requirements, I found myself thinking dark thoughts that I had never experienced before.

I scheduled an appointment with a Psychiatrist and was diagnosed with depression. Scratch that. I was diagnosed with “high functioning depression.”

“High functioning depression”? Seems like an oxymoron, but I didn’t question it.

 

During periods of sleep deprivation that were initially inherent to my #military training hours and then #surgery call requirements, I found myself thinking dark thoughts that I had never experienced before. Click To Tweet

 

I wasn’t ready to question it. My brain didn’t let me question it.

To admit that I was anything other than “high functioning” felt like a threat to my dental, medical, and military careers, reputation, identity, and ego. At the depths of depression, I even censored myself in my own mental health appointments- concerned to reveal that I was anything other than “high functioning.” However, it has become increasingly apparent that not talking about hard things means that we are risking our lives, often due to the tremendous psychache that develops from the pressure and energy that it takes to preserve our careers and image of perfection while sacrificing basic needs such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, and community.

So here I go.. Talking about hard things in hopes that sharing my experience will help others and provide encouragement to share their voice, as well… even if “sharing your voice” means privately in a mental health appointment. 

 

Reflecting on my experience, sleep deprivation was a main factor that led to my mental health decline.

I still recall a night while waiting for an operating room to become available when I asked my upper level resident if everyone shared the same dark thoughts (signs of severe depression) I had while on call. It was my first subtle cry for help, surrendering to admitting that there was a problem. It was scary. My mind did not feel like my own. 

Up until that point, I was embarrassed to admit I was struggling. I knew no one loved call, so I tried not to complain. I was embarrassed that I was exhausted from sleep deprivation. I was embarrassed for craving the basic needs of a normal functioning human… sleep. 

 

I was embarrassed to admit I was struggling. I was embarrassed for craving the basic needs of a normal functioning human… sleep. Click To Tweet

 

Additionally, when in the depths of depression and exhaustion, my judgment was compromised.

I thought I had to continue on the career trajectory that I had committed to on paper or end my life. I could not see another option, and my brain hyper focused on risks of letting people know I was not OK.

 

Ad from SoMeDocs.

Don’t Settle for Boring Health Resources

Ad from SoMeDocs.

Marketing physician voices uniquely!

 

Then one day, I had a plan to end the pain… and in the moment I thought- this is no longer about saving my career. This is about saving my life.

In that moment, I finally surrendered. I called my military program manager and said- “I think I need to take a medical leave.”

 

Then one day, I had a plan to end the pain… and in the moment I thought- this is no longer about saving my career. This is about saving my life. Click To Tweet

 

He replied with compassion and understanding, “When?” 

I said, “Days or months ago, but I’ll settle for.. now.” 

The next day, I was on medical leave. I risked my career to save my life.

I risked my career to save my life- Saying it like that, it should have been a clear decision; however, the truth is that- in the moment- it was anything but clear to me. 

When we are put into high pressure positions to look and act perfectly, with fear that a misstep may end our career or taint our reputations, the depression may cloud our judgment and ability to see what really matters most in life… our lives. 

 

When we are put into high pressure positions to look and act perfectly, with fear that a misstep may end our career or taint our reputations. It clouds our judgment on what really matters most in life… our lives. Click To Tweet

 

The outcome? I saved my life by risking my career… and though I did end up getting medically discharged from the military, the discharge means I am able to speak without fear of losing the career I was so desperately trying to save. It means that I can initiate the hard discussions in hopes that talking about it will help others to see and get help when their world is dark and their options feel limited. If you’re there and you need to hear it… 

 

Nothing in your career is more important than your life. Nothing

Nothing in your career is more important than your life. Nothing. – I’ll say that as many times as it takes to make it true for you.

“High functioning depression” meant that I minimized what I was experiencing secondary to depression and functioned highly until I could barely function at all. 

“High functioning depression” often means you function… until you don’t. 

Ultimately, I reconstructed my career in order to recover, starting with giving myself permission to pivot.

 

At the depths of depression, I even censored myself in my own mental health appointments- concerned to reveal that I was anything other than “high functioning.”

 

I have spent years in silence about my career decisions, nervous that my inability to take call and inability to thrive while sleep deprived could be seen as weaknesses…. Being afraid to admit I was advocating for my mental health and…. my life. That’s a problem. Experiencing fear for advocating for the health and safety of myself and others for concern that I may sound weak… that’s a BIG problem. 

Silence is not the answer. Avoiding talking about it is not the answer. I cannot avoid call hard enough for prolonged sleep deprivation to be less of a problem for others. So let’s keep talking… 

Physicians need sleep. The system needs to change. Many are not okay. I was one of them. 

We need to normalize talking about the hard things and creating environments that promote psychological safety and the ability to truly ask for help – not censor our struggles in mental health appointments to save face. 

 

Physicians need sleep. The system needs to change. Many are not okay. I was one of them. Click To Tweet

 

And if you need to hear it- it’s okay to crave basic needs and advocate for them. You’re a human, not a robot… we need to create a system made for humans, not robots. 

If you are having dark thoughts, please seek help. While the best time may have been days or months ago, the next best time is now. 

 

If you or someone you know is in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, please seek help immediately: 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Call 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7: 800-273-8255

Physician Support Line by psychiatrists: 888-409-0141

Emotional PPE: https://emotionalppe.org/

(Originally published on KevinMD.com)

Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on SoMeDocs? Find out what we’re looking for here and submit your writing, or send us a pitch.

Share

Earn CME

This learning experience is powered by CMEfy - a platform that brings relevant CMEs to busy clinicians, at the right place and right time. Using short learning nudges, clinicians can reflect and unlock AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ALSO CHECK OUT

Earn CME

This learning experience is powered by CMEfy - a platform that brings relevant CMEs to busy clinicians, at the right place and right time. Using short learning nudges, clinicians can reflect and unlock AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.

Tweet Me

More from SoMeDocs

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

Cooking Tips and Tricks with Dr. Danielle

Batch Cooking: Turkey Chili [VIDEO]

Dr. Danielle shows us how to batch cook up chili from ground turkey, even if you’re a working mom, in this episode of “Cooking Tips & Tricks with Dr. Danielle”

David Norris, MD, MBA

Negotiate as a Physician and Win

Catch this 8-part series, hosted by physician & business consultant David Norris, MD, MBA & produced by Dana Corriel, MD. Learn to be a stronger negotiator with these important tactics.

My “Go To” Spices for Indian Food: Beginner’s Guide

The Doctor’s Food

In honor of our upcoming virtual Lifestyle Medicine conference, we thought it would be fun to share some of what doctors eat (and prepare!), released regularly. Bottoms’ up!

Krysti (Lan Chi) Vo, MD

Krysti (Lan Chi) Vo, MD

Double-board certified physician specialized in adult, and child and adolescent psychiatry. A telemedicine expert, digital health advisor and researcher, speaker & writer.

Nicole Aaronson, MD. MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP

Nicole Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP

I am a double board-certified pediatric otolaryngologist dedicated to patient and family education and communication, because I want to help parents take the best possible care of their children.

Want More?

Be a part of the healthcare revolution.
Don't miss a thing SoMeDocs publishes!

Disclaimer: SoMeDocs assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, claims, or content of the individual experts' profiles, contributions and courses. Details within posts cannot be verified. This site does not represent medical advice and you should always consult with your private physician before taking on anything you read online. See SoMeDocs' Terms of Use for more information.

follow us

© 2023 SoMeDocs. All Rights Reserved.

Support A Platform that Celebrates Real Doctors

For just $10 a month, you can help keep this openly accessible site available to all & help us sponsor in more doctors.

Interested in the must-read, unique content from our magazine?

Lifestyle Medicine conference

A Virtual Event, June 9-11, 2023

15 speakers, 3 days,
loads of valuable content.

I acknowledge that this site is not to be used for medical advice.

Play Video
Our Founder Answers Your BURNING Question

SoMeDocs

“Why should I become a member of SoMeDocs if I already have my own space online?”

What We Bring to the Practice of Medicine

We feature books!

And they’re written by experts!

Site SoMeDocs Logo, square

WANT TO STAY IN THE LOOP?

DON'T MISS A SINGLE CONTENT PIECE.