Addiction Quote by Erich Segal
“We have turned doctors into gods and worship their deity by offering up our bodies and our souls - not to mention our worldly goods. And yet paradoxically, they are the most vulnerable of human beings. Their suicide rate is eight times the national average. Their percentage of drug addiction is one hundred times higher And because they are painfully aware that they cannot live up to our expectations, their anguish is unquantifiably intense. They have aptly been called 'wounded healers.' " ~ Barney Livingston, M.D. (Doctors, 1989)”
About This Quote
Source Book: Doctors, 1989 by Barney Livingston, M.D.
Physicians are revered yet face extreme vulnerability, high suicide and addiction rates, reflecting the paradox of their role.
In simple terms: Doctors are worshipped but suffer greatly.
Key Takeaway
Address systemic pressures on medical professionals.
Themes
healthcare
vulnerability
mental health
burnout
paradox
Mood
somber
concerned
Type
analytical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- hospital environments
- medical training
- policy reform
Key Concepts
wounded healer archetype
systemic stress
suicide risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What support systems can reduce physician burnout?
- How does societal expectation affect doctors' wellbeing?
A Different Perspective
Stigma may prevent doctors from seeking help.
![“[...] the kind of healer who knows that sometimes one must inflict terrible agony - rebreak a bone, carve off a limb, kill the weak - in order to make the whole stronger.” quote by N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b79/n-k-jemisin-1466_difficult-decisions_the-kind-of-healer-who-knows-that-someti_50107.jpg)
