Background Medical practitioners experience high levels of mental disorders but may be reluctant to seek care. Aims To determine medical practitioner attitudes towards other doctors with anxiety/depression, barriers to seeking mental healthcare, treatments received for depression and the effects of age. Methods Data from the National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students, conducted in Australia, were analysed (N = 10 038 medical practitioners). Attitudes to anxiety/depression were assessed with 12 statements (total stigma score, range 12–60). Barriers to seeking professional help, and coping strategies used, for anxiety/depression were measured. Practitioners with a history of depression were asked what personal supports and treatments were received. Practitioners were compared by age—younger (40 years and younger), middle-aged (41–60) and older (61+). Results Attitudes and help-seeking behaviours varied with age. Older doctors had a more positive outlook and less total stigma, with the exception that they believed a doctor with anxiety/depression was less reliable. Younger practitioners were most likely to report barriers, such as confidentiality, impact on career progression and registration, to seeking help. For practitioners with depression, counselling and counselling plus medication were most likely to be received by the younger and middle-aged groups, whereas medication alone was most likely to be received by the middle-aged and older groups. Conclusions Stigmatizing attitudes towards mental disorder and barriers to help-seeking remain prevalent within the medical profession. Our results suggest doctors’ health programs should address mental health stigma in younger practitioners and facilitate education about psychological treatments in older practitioners.

中文翻译：

---

医生报告的心理健康污名和寻求帮助的障碍

背景 医疗从业者经历高度的精神障碍，但可能不愿寻求治疗。目的 确定医生对其他患有焦虑/抑郁症的医生的态度、寻求心理保健的障碍、接受的抑郁症治疗以及年龄的影响。方法 分析了在澳大利亚进行的全国医生和医学生心理健康调查的数据（N = 10 038 名医生）。对焦虑/抑郁的态度通过 12 个陈述进行评估（总污名评分，范围 12-60）。测量了寻求专业帮助的障碍，以及用于焦虑/抑郁的应对策略。有抑郁病史的从业者被问及接受了哪些个人支持和治疗。从业者按年龄进行比较——更年轻（40 岁及以下），中年（41-60）和老年人（61+）。结果 态度和求助行为随年龄而变化。年长的医生有更积极的前景和更少的耻辱感，除了他们认为患有焦虑/抑郁症的医生不太可靠。年轻的从业者最有可能报告寻求帮助的障碍，例如保密、对职业发展和注册的影响。对于患有抑郁症的从业者，中青年组最容易接受咨询和咨询加药物治疗，而中老年组最容易接受单独药物治疗。结论 对精神障碍的污名化态度和寻求帮助的障碍在医学界仍然普遍存在。