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recent GP survey on stress not being an illness

Phased
When understanding why GPS might respond in the way they have to questions about the mental health of patients 
'Life being stressful is not an illness' - GPs on mental health over-diagnosis - BBC News
It might be worth considering how they themselves are feeling:
Key findings from international surveys and reports highlight:
  • High Stress Levels: In a survey of 10 high-income countries, 71% of UK GPs found their job "extremely" or "very stressful," the highest level among the nations surveyed.
  • Widespread Burnout: GPs are considered more vulnerable to burnout and work-related mental health problems than doctors in most other specialties. A BMA survey in 2024 found that nearly three-quarters of GP registrars (doctors in training) were experiencing burnout and stress.
  • Impact on Workforce: The unsustainable pressure and stress have led to many GPs reducing their hours, considering leaving their jobs altogether, or leaving the profession early, contributing to workforce shortages.
  • Workload as a Key Factor: The main source of stress is consistently identified as heavy workload, time pressure, and a large administrative burden, often compounded by staffing gaps and insufficient resources.
  • Organizational Culture: Lack of collegial support and unhealthy practice cultures (e.g., bullying) are also significant sources of distress, while strong team support is a key protective factor for individual well-being. 

So what I'm saying is that with GPs mostly living with extreme stress as part of their daily life (until they succumb to it themselves... )  it's hardly unlikely they think being stressed is not an illness.

Thoughts good people?

Parents

  • ++Its likely pragmatic GPs view stress as a symptom of something else. Until perhaps it affects them and becomes chronic. They have some of the most regimented roles of social servants. But also going from the intensive training of becoming a doctor to the relatively placid and monotonous daily routine. A lot of surgeries where I am vary the the times doctors can work - this is probably also one of the reasons you may have to wait a long time see a doctor.

    Scientifically it would be hard to prove stress as physical illness, more consistent with being a mental illness caused by the body's response to physical situations. When people work remotely they can deal a lot better with stress. So removing yourself from the physical enviroment certainly has an improving factor on quality of life as we saw during the pandemic (with many people opting for hybrid roles). 

    Consistent routines also cause fatigue which lead to stress. Eventually the body will break if it is subjective to repetetive motions (and thoughts).

  • in reply to pietro_21

    I concur that stress per se is not an illness - depression and anxiety on the other hand are with stress being a major contributor and cause of this

    Once one gets past the BBC news website headline it goes on to say "Hundreds of GPs across England have told the BBC they think mental health problems are being over-diagnosed." 

    In addition to stress relating to physical situations one perhaps might also consider how prolonged psychological stress continues long after the physical situation was initially encountered.  Reactions "triggered" by encountering physical situations seemingly separate to the initial one can further deepen the trauma and lowering the trigger setting.

    The figures I have shared indicate that GPs are themselves particularly vulnerable to this.

    As others in this thread have correctly pointed out the respondents to the survey are not necessarily representative of the entire group to which the question was posed.

    The greatest concern that I have about this sort of news media article is that it "dog whistles" to people who wish to play down the mental health challenges that modern society presents to almost all its members including, especially in this context, autistic people.

    Best Wishes

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  • in reply to pietro_21

    I concur that stress per se is not an illness - depression and anxiety on the other hand are with stress being a major contributor and cause of this

    Once one gets past the BBC news website headline it goes on to say "Hundreds of GPs across England have told the BBC they think mental health problems are being over-diagnosed." 

    In addition to stress relating to physical situations one perhaps might also consider how prolonged psychological stress continues long after the physical situation was initially encountered.  Reactions "triggered" by encountering physical situations seemingly separate to the initial one can further deepen the trauma and lowering the trigger setting.

    The figures I have shared indicate that GPs are themselves particularly vulnerable to this.

    As others in this thread have correctly pointed out the respondents to the survey are not necessarily representative of the entire group to which the question was posed.

    The greatest concern that I have about this sort of news media article is that it "dog whistles" to people who wish to play down the mental health challenges that modern society presents to almost all its members including, especially in this context, autistic people.

    Best Wishes

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