Why Burned-Out Psychiatrists Are Finally Putting Themselves First

“Take care of yourself and each other” might sound like a friendly send-off, but for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, it touches on a deep ethical debate. Traditionally, medical ethics has demanded that doctors put their patients first. The American Medical Association’s code of ethics emphasizes patient needs as the top priority, often leaving little room for clinician wellbeing.

However, many psychiatrists are beginning to question whether this hierarchy is sustainable—or even healthy. With rising rates of clinician burnout, mental health experts are exploring a more balanced view that includes psychiatrist self-care ethics as essential, not optional.

The Case for Equal Prioritization

During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the mental toll on healthcare professionals has reached crisis levels. Emotional exhaustion, moral injury, and system-driven stress are not just personal issues—they’re systemic threats to quality care. If psychiatrists are burned out, how can they truly serve their patients?

This line of thinking is not just theoretical. Recent discussions at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting included a rally advocating for better mental health support for clinicians themselves. These actions reflect a shift in the field: many professionals believe self-care is not selfish, but rather a foundation for ethical, sustainable care.

Why Psychiatrist Self-Care Ethics Matter

Addressing Burnout with Biofeedback and Neurofeedback

Newer therapeutic approaches, often categorized under emerging therapies, are starting to support psychiatrist wellbeing. Modalities like biofeedback and neurofeedback help clinicians monitor and manage their own stress and anxiety levels. These tools can improve self-regulation and reduce burnout symptoms—empowering psychiatrists to model good mental health for their patients.

EEG and EMG for Self-Awareness

Some practitioners are even turning to EEG (electroencephalography) and EMG (electromyography) to better understand their own brain and muscle activity patterns. These techniques aren’t just for patients anymore—they can offer psychiatrists real-time insights into their stress levels and how they respond to work challenges. It’s a small but powerful step toward bringing clinician health into the same ethical spotlight as patient care.

Challenging the Stigma Around “Putting Yourself First”

Many psychiatrists go into the field out of a deep desire to help others. This noble intention, however, can easily slide into self-neglect. The belief that taking care of oneself is indulgent or unprofessional is no longer compatible with what we know about long-term mental health outcomes—for both patients and providers.

By promoting psychiatrist self-care ethics, the field of interventional psychiatry may be creating a more resilient, effective, and human-centered approach to care.

A New Ethical Standard

The conversation is evolving. Balancing the needs of patients with those of the psychiatrist is no longer seen as controversial—it’s increasingly viewed as common sense. When clinicians are well-supported, everyone benefits.

It’s time to rewrite the old ethical script. Taking care of ourselves and each other should be seen not as a contradiction, but as an ethical necessity.

Discover more at https://interventionalpsychiatry.org/

Citations:

1. Shanafelt TD & Noseworthy JH (2017). Executive Leadership and Physician Well‐being: Nine Organizational Strategies to Promote Engagement and Reduce Burnout. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 92(1), 129–146. This paper outlines organizational-level approaches—like leadership engagement and workflow redesign—that significantly reduce burnout and boost physician engagement link.springer.com+10psnet.ahrq.gov+10scirp.org+10.

2. National Academies of Medicine (2019). Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout: A Systems Approach to Professional Well‑Being. This comprehensive report highlights burnout's key dimensions—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced accomplishment—and emphasizes the need for systemic solutions en.wikipedia.org+1link.springer.com+1.