Is there a doctor in the house?

At a recent family gathering, a cousin approached me with questions about psychiatric medications. He wanted to know if they were addictive.

When could a person stop taking them? And whether they have serious side effects?

His questions felt deeper than mere curiosity. He later confided that his father had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had been prescribed medication.

The family was worried so they wanted to know more. Since this revelation, I began noticing his father's behaviour in our family WhatsApp group: sending messages very early in the morning and throughout the day, getting easily irritated when others expressed different opinions, and going on and on about certain topics.

It struck me that constantly analysing his behaviour was wrong and unhealthy. I realised I needed to stop being a psychiatrist all the time.

Having a medical doctor in the family can be a significant advantage.

Along with the social status and pride experienced by parents, spouses, and children, there is the benefit of access to free and timely consultation.

However, this dynamic can sometimes lead to conflicts and frustration when family members choose to act against medical advice.

Doctors can be role models, promoting a healthy lifestyle, spreading awareness, and addressing misconceptions, such as negative beliefs about the Covid vaccine.

They provide immediate care during medical crises.

A study from Sweden showed that families with medical professionals tend to have a lower incidence of lifestyle-related diseases and higher adherence to preventive measures.

On the flip side, having a doctor in the family can lead to conflicts, especially when family members disregard medical advice, such as siblings or children who smoke or abuse drugs or alcohol.

This can make the doctor feel guilty for not being able to ‘fix’ the situation, impacting their mental well-being.

Additionally, doctors in the family may be asked to make all the health decisions for sick relatives, which is especially stressful in life-and-death situations.

Some family members might bombard their doctor relatives with consultation requests and demand urgent appointments even when the situation doesn't warrant it.

Medical regulatory bodies advise that doctors should not treat themselves or their families to maintain objectivity and avoid ethical dilemmas.

However, when a family member asks for advice, it's difficult for a doctor to turn them down. Over the years, I have learned to set boundaries when dealing with patients, keeping consultations to clinic time unless it's an emergency, and resisting the pressure to answer people’s questions whenever they want.

This was not easy since many people assumed that I was being rigid and arrogant, but I had to stick to my principles to avoid burnout.

Ultimately, while having a doctor in the family is generally seen as a blessing, it comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing professional responsibilities with personal relationships requires careful navigation to maintain both mental health and family harmony.