Why Doctors Don’t Ask for Help – And How to Do it Right

On this episode

We in healthcare often don’t ask for help when we’re overwhelmed or nearing burnout. It can feel pointless when past experiences have taught us that nothing changes or improves when we do. Or we fear being judged and seen as weak, or worse: that there will be professional consequences. This creates a cycle of silence, frustration, and worsening burnout.

To break this cycle, we can take small, practical steps to regain control and turn down the heat:

• Acknowledge the reality of the situation and name it
• Share your concerns with a trusted colleague, friend, or manager
• Document the impact of stress on your health and function
• Speak to your GP or occupational health, and explore ways to adjust workloads

When we allow the cycle to continue, we end up feeling more exhausted, we make mistakes, and our stress spirals. We might feel hopeless, angry, or numb, and eventually stop being effective at work or in our personal lives. But this isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a natural response to impossible conditions.

Take one small step today. Drop one task, take one protected break, or have one honest conversation about your capacity. These small changes can start to shift things and remind us that we do have choices, even in difficult circumstances.