THE PATIENT WHO MADE ME A BETTER PSYCHIATRIST – A COLLECTION OF MEMOIRS

Early this year, Psychiatric Times invited readers to send us their stories for a writer’s contest about their most memorable patient- The one who taught them a life lesson they never forgot- the one who ultimately helped make them a better psychiatrist. The top 3 winning essays were published in our July issue.

In this downloadable supplement, it is our pleasure and privilege to share with you 6 of the “honorable mentions.” Each story (details about the patient have been fictionalized to protect privacy) tells of a deep and longlasting bond forged between patient and psychiatrist.

The tributes that follow in this supplement tell of the gift of empathic listening; the importance of “just being there” when all medical options are exhausted; of bravely acknowledging one’s feelings of attachment to a patient; of simply muddling through when there are no good answers.

We found these stories deeply moving. I’ve read them all many times, but they still move me to tears each time I read them.

We know that it took great courage for each author to tell his or her story, and we thank each one for sharing these poignant and personal experiences.

You can find the collected works from our writer’s contest here: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/writers-contest

Download the supplement