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Medical marriages and other intimate relationships

Michael F Myers
Med J Aust 2004; 181 (7): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb06340.x
Published online: 4 October 2004

Marital challenges are ubiquitous in the relationships of doctors. Common issues include overwork, a need for control, self-neglect, perceived and felt stigma, being a “wounded healer”, trouble with boundaries, chemical dependency, depression, and more. Knowing the hallmarks of a healthy relationship, recognising warning signals of trouble, and taking action through suggested strategies can be salutary.


  • Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.


Correspondence: 

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  • 11. Myers MF. Fighting stigma: how to help the doctor’s family. In: Fink PJ, Tasman A, editors. Stigma and mental illness. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1992: 139-150.
  • 12. Dunne C. Carl Jung: wounded healer of the soul. New York, NY: Parabola Books, 2000.
  • 13. Center C, Davis M, Detre T, et al. Confronting depression and suicide in physicians. JAMA 2003; 289: 3161-3166.

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