A doctor cannot cure himself?

Hello Deepak, Yes I have heard this from others too that Doctor cannot cure himself.......but I don't understand why.....if he is a doctor surely he know what treatment he needs. BUT.... I think the reason is that a doctor or a good counselor or no matter who, before being anything is a simple human being, and we human beings are actually very soft inside, and when you are sick or in some kind of trouble, you need emotional support from others and this emotional support becomes your strength. Every one needs some pampering in life as it makes them important and this importance is very necessary in life. This is the reason why even strongest person sometimes feel weak and look for some comfortable arms for support.This is just one aspect of human behavior.We humans live on one important medicine which is called LOVE and that is what makes Doctor useless for themselves.......

Hi dpk On the lighter side - how will anyone operate on his own heart is still a mystery - unresolved On the serious side - Many a times it is possible and much easier to recommend and advice to others but when it comes to own self... we fail in adopting those advices... Same for doctors

Drs are not aloud to prescribe themselves medication incase of misconduct, so they have to goto another Dr to be treated. I'm sure if its a common cold they could treat themselves. But when it cones to the serious side of things it us best to get a 2nd opinion. In the case of treating ourselves it does depend on the specifics, but generally it always helps to ask others for some kind of advice. Having a shoulder to lean on in times of need is what helps us cope with lifestyle changes .

I have my opinions about many doctors, but I that's another discussion! Doctors themselves do not have definite cures for many illnesses - if they cannot always perform miracles on others, they may not necessarily be able to perform a miracle on themselves. And of course if surgery is required, most likely they cannot perform it on themselves. Now that I think of it, I wonder what it is like to be the best doctor/surgeon for a particular illness - and then they themselves become victim to that particular illness - hmmmm. As far as counseling others, it's easier to give advice when we're not having to face the problem - we're not the ones who have to make the final decision. But when we ourselves are in a crisis, most likely we are too caught up in the emotions/stress and the decisions are not as easy to finalize. Hope you're doing well dpk!!!

It has nothing to do with the capability of being able to counsel anyone. It is just a shoulder one needs and some shoulders seem more comfortable than others and are more willing. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on even those who always lend theirs to others.

Hi my friend, A good topic, to issue a doctor, I can not make a conclusion. Maybe if they got a mild disease, they are able to cope alone, but if they already have disease severe enough, then they'll go visit other doctors who are experts in the field of disease is concerned, as far as I know, even in the medical field for in some specific areas. (eg, ophthalmologist, cardiologist, surgeon, etc.). Well, you're so brilliant in this topic, you connect two similar cases. Yes, honestly, I often give advice and suggestions to others who are in big trouble. But it does not apply to myself, and I need other people in my problem. It's very complicated to study. lol. In fact, I own frustration in dealing with my problems. nice day

Well, it can be interesting. I have seen Doctors before who had NO sympathy for me when I was suffering with a Migraine, while admitting they had just had a bad one themselves yesterday. Personally you would think that Doctors who suffer from some of the same issues that we do would be more sympathetic and try to help, but since they have to deal with the problems themselves as well, they feel at a loss. Just wish there was an easier solution for all.

hmmm...is that really true? So many doctors treat themselves. My husband who is a pharmacologist treats himself when he is ill. Of course, if he needs some tests, he will need to visit a hospital and another doctor. But your post reminded me of my husband's business partner's father-in-law. He is a homeopathic doctor and has been very very successful in treating ailments ranging from pains, stomach upsets to cancer. People from US travel to consult with him and are very happy with his treatment. But his treatment is never effective on his family and extended family!! I wonder why?

They say doctors make the worse patients.They think they Know what should happen I assume. I don't trust doctors so they are my last resort when I'm ill. So I just try my best to get better on my own. I'm not used to asking for help when I'm ill.

It's too easy to justice personal imperfections. We are unable give an unbiased opinion or diagnosis. Doctors and counselors are professionals and are taught to be just that. Unbiased and nonpartial. To some extent a physician can diagnose himself and I am reasonably sure that they probably do.

simply... because the doctor is afraid to drink the medicine he himself prescribes to their patients... afraid of the side effects well...let's wait for any doctor here

Yes, that does seem strange that doctors cannot or do not treat themselves when they become seriously ill; we all treat ourselves when we get a cold or flu or some other less serious illness. However, even if the illness is serious the doctors should not try in treat themselves because they probably cannot be objective when it come to what treatment they should follow to cure themselves. There is a possibility of over or under medicating themselves. They may even misdiagnose themselves, therefore they would be treating themselves for the wrong illness. It would save them a lot of money in the end if they could treat themselves.

Once I worked with a doctor and he said not that he could not cure himself, mostly was because he neglect all the signs and symptom thinking it's okay until it got worse and he had to seek another doctor to cure it. We are the same. We simply ignore the symptom of a problem until it was too late and we have to consult our friends about it. Are you in trouble, Deepak?

Yes, when we are in trouble, our brain does not work properly, rather it is better to say that our capacity to judge is hampered. So we need someone for proper advice.

I also feel that it has to do with the fact that you can not self diagnose with a clear mind. Just like a doctor can not operate on a close family member because it is a conflict of interest. You will not have the best judgement in this case!

Hi deepak, I am sure that a doctor can cure himself when it is some minor health complication.My sister and her husband are both doctors and though they do not discuss all their health problems with us like we do with them, I see them gulping tablets and know that there is some problem and when I ask they come out with what is wrong lol....I always feel that it is so nice to be able to treat yourself and not feel helpless when you are sick

Hmmm...very interesting discussion. I think that we may sometimes overestimate and underestimate our capabilities sometimes and that might be a factor. Maybe a choice of medicines would be too strong or weak based on the impression we have of ourselves. I think that it being someone else..they can see a wider range of things about us and maybe even compare us to other cases we might not consider ourselves to resemble.

I would think that it would be a difficult task for a doctor to diagnose and cure themselves. Knowing the proper methods at the right times could be bery trying. If you were to misdiagnose yourself, how long could it take to know the truth?

Hi dpk I have worked with many doctors for several years and come to learn that the reason that they do not is because they are just as human as ourselves. She they need assurance just as much as we do. They need to somehow search the best of the best when it comes to their health so they opt to getting others opinions. Sure they understand that they can cure certain areas for themselves but also they cannot at least here prescribed for themselves. It is not allowed, they have to consult another doctor to place the prescription order. But the theory about why they do not consult themselves is that being that this is their field of expertise, they want to assure that they are getting the best possible advice/consultation/treatment.

It seems, I don't know any doctors but I heard that it's just like any regular Joe when he is sick: becomes lazy, don't take too serious and might end up getting worse. You know when we sometimes really don't wanna take a medicine that is too horrible tasting, or don't wanna do this and that to get better because we are lazy? Doctors also will do and even worse cause no one can discuss with him as he's gonna say he's right :)