Look after yourself first and foremost!

I was no good to anyone on the days I was too tired and angry to make good decisions. Get your own GP. In South Australia, Doctors Health SA provides after hours and weekend services to doctors and medical students.

If you don’t have a regular doctor yet, get in contact with them or the equivalent organisation in your state. It made all the difference for me. Sometimes I was just too unwell – physically or emotionally – to work, and I needed someone objective to help me get better.

Get your own psychologist too

Plenty of doctors with or without mental health conditions seek help from psychologists when in crisis. It took me a couple of tries with different clinicians before I found someone I gelled with, but it made all the difference. Tell your friends, your partner, or your parents what is going on with you – the good and the bad.

Looking back, I was at my worst when I felt alone, and at my best when I shared with others and rationalised the struggles I faced.

Know when to say “no”

As doctors, we are good at prioritising a lot of tasks. But sometimes there is just too much to do, no matter how skilled you are at prioritising.

In my case, I had to be strict and tell myself “no flying to Adelaide to DJ” in the three months before the fellowship exams.

Take your time with your career

There is no shame in this. I was burnt out immediately after medical school and took six months off before starting a hospital internship. During this time I continued to teach and play guitar, which was exactly what I needed at that time.