Episode 8 - Dr Caroline Walker on her journey through mental ill-health, doctor well-being and founding The Joyful Doctor.

This week I talk to Dr Caroline Walker, a psychiatrist from the UK who created The Joyful Doctor, an organisation devoted to supporting the well-being of doctors and other healthcare professionals through coaching and training.

Given that Caroline’s and my mission are virtually identical, albeit serving people in different parts of the world (UK and Australia), it felt only natural to reach out and have a good old chat with her about her journey.

 Caroline’s story is so inspiring. She dreamed of becoming a doctor from a young age, and after the dream came true realised that it was not what she had expected. 

Struggling as a junior doctor, Caroline also suffered from mental health difficulties and she talks openly in this conversation about how bipolar disorder and addiction affected her and what her recovery has been like. 

We talk about doctor mental health and well-being and some of the positive behaviours that we both believe are important for supporting other people such as role modelling vulnerability, reaching out to tell others it’s okay to not be okay, and modelling imperfection. 

We reflect on how thoughts about things not being good enough and imposter syndrome continue to arise for us, and Caroline shares her wisdom about how to address self-doubt.

 The heart of this conversation is really about the importance of taking care of ourselves, and it is punctuated by reflections from myself and Caroline about our approach to well-being and how doctors can take care of themselves. It will be a must listen for all doctors out there! 

 Caroline is doing some incredible work especially now during the pandemic, providing helpful resources to doctors in the UK (which anyone can access!). Check out her stuff here:

https://www.joyfuldoctor.com/

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If you are a doctor who struggles with self-doubt then you will also find my free Facebook group helpful. I share weekly content designed to help improve doctor confidence, reduce stress and promote healthy living:

Free Overcoming Self-Doubt Facebook Group for Doctors