[Physicians as patients--on the problem of the mentally ill physician]

The phenomenon of mentally ill physicians is hardly noticed in Germany today-a fact that possibly indicates a taboo. This investigation is to reveal the importance of the subject by referring to the findings of several major studies. Epidemiological data turn out to be of little reliability regarding for instance the number of impaired physicians with a range between 0.5-46%. Addiction and substance abuse can be found in 90% of all cases of mental illness. Increased suicide (3-4x), divorce (20x) and addiction rates (according to some authors 30-100x) in comparison with the average population emphasise the necessity of further investigation. These facts imply the question whether doctors are mentally more vulnerable than their patients. Special difficulties in treating doctor-patients deserve attention as only little is known how appropriate "iatrotropic" (psycho-)therapy can be carried out effectively.