A Doctor’s Hidden Addiction and the Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything (Ft. Dr. Brett Cordes)
Finding Balance & Beating Burnout in Medicine: My Journey, Insights, and How You Can Turn Things Around
Hello everyone, Dr. Rob Beck here—host of The Interesting MD Podcast. If you’re a physician (or know one), chances are you’ve heard the term “physician burnout.” Maybe you’ve felt those signs creeping in yourself: boredom, irritability, or that overwhelming sense of being trapped under more and more responsibility.
In today’s post, I want to share my story and insights from a powerful recent conversation with Dr. Brett Cordes—the “Burnout Doc”—about why burnout is REAL, how it sneaks up on us, and what you can honestly do about it. If you’re searching for answers, support, or simply want reassurance that you’re not alone, you’re in the right place.
Why We Burnout: It’s Not Just You—It’s The System and Our Stories
Looking through my career, I know the decision to become a physician was huge—and frankly, most of us made that commitment at just 17, 18, or 20 years old. Yet life changes, and so do our priorities and passions. It’s not uncommon to wake up one day, years or decades later, and think, “How did I get here? Am I really happy doing this?”
I’ll be honest: at one point in my life, I felt utterly trapped. I went from loving patient care to dreading everything outside the exam room. My frustration grew after COVID hit, administrative burdens piled up, and the joy I once found in medicine became a struggle just to show up each day.
This isn’t rare. Dr. Brett Cordes shared that burnout tends to manifest first as boredom but is often really a lack of fulfillment. We’re working hard—sometimes too hard. We ignore vacations, prioritize work over our own needs, and, worse yet, feel guilty when we’re not available to our patients 24/7.
Burnout: More Than a Buzzword—It’s a Pandemic of Its Own
Research shows over 50% of physicians are burned out, but in my experience, I suspect the other half might simply not recognize it yet. Burnout in doctors isn’t just tiredness. It’s an all-consuming state that bleeds into your personal life: irritability, “grumpy old man syndrome,” emotional exhaustion, and that ever-present trapped feeling.
The causes? Administrative overload (think EMRs, insurance, peer-to-peer reviews), lack of autonomy, endless documentation, and ever-rising overhead. We didn’t go to medical school for bureaucracy, yet it can consume half (or more) of our workdays.
There’s also moral injury. Sometimes, it’s the heartbreak of watching patients suffer, knowing you did your best but still being haunted by outcomes you couldn’t control. Other days, it’s fighting with the system for approvals or battling inequities while the joy drains out.
My Breaking Point—and What Turned It Around
Let me be vulnerable: at one stage, a physician wellness survey from my own hospital reported my “risk of suicide” at 32%! That shook me. I wasn’t at risk of self-harm, but it made me question: What self-destructive paths might I be on if I don’t change?
That was my cue to find an ‘out.’ For some, like Dr. Cordes, the journey included addiction before recovery and reinvention. For me, it was realizing I needed a change, and eventually moving my family to Canada—finding balance and new purpose outside the traditional path of medicine.
The Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you’re questioning whether you’re burned out, here are some classic warning signals (from lived experience and my chat with Dr. Cordes):
Persistent boredom or lack of joy
Irritability and frustration that follows you home
Working too much and ignoring your own needs
Feeling trapped—like you “can’t get out” from under your responsibilities
Moral injury—feeling responsible for outcomes you can’t control
If you’ve ever asked, “Am I burned out?”—the answer is most likely YES. And acknowledging it is the first step toward healing.
Real Solutions: You Don’t Have to Tough It Out Alone
Here’s the truth: most physicians aren’t eager to seek help. We’re the “helpers”—not the ones asking for directions or support. But burnout isn’t best solved by ignoring it, bottling it up, or soldiering on.
What can you do?
Talk to Someone Who Gets It: There are coaches, therapists, and support networks for doctors. Dr. Cordes’ site, theburnoutdoc.com, is a fantastic place to start. You’ll find resources, stats, and a free initial consultation—you don’t even have to commit, just have a chat.
Acknowledge the Need for Boundaries: Loving your patients is important, but perfect accessibility isn’t sustainable. Take those vacations, delegate what you can, and allow yourself time to recharge.
Challenge Negative Thought Patterns: Much of our stress comes from how we interpret our circumstances. Sometimes, small mental shifts—from focusing on gratitude to embracing non-clinical outlets—can reignite the passion that first brought us to medicine.
Redefine Success and Happiness: It’s okay if you change. Medicine doesn’t have to be a lifelong cage. Pivot to administration, try a startup, or lean into coaching and mentorship. Happiness is worth the chase.
Check Your Passion: If the spark is gone, explore what it would take to bring it back—or where you might redirect it. Medicine needs doctors who WANT to be here, not just those who HAVEN’T found an exit.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until Rock Bottom
Burnout sneaks up on the best of us. If you’re reading this and feeling some connection to my story, or to Dr. Cordes’ journey, take action now. Reach out for support. Read up, ask for help, and know that your struggles are valid—and change is possible.
You have nothing to lose by asking, “Do I have burnout?” You may gain the freedom, energy, and happiness you’ve missed for years.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
If you have thoughts, questions, feedback, or want to share your story, reach me at rob@interestingmd.com or message me on socials @InterestingMD.
We’re all in this together—because life in medicine is too important (and too short) to spend it burned out. Let’s find balance and reignite that passion, one story at a time.
More From The Interesting MD
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Let’s make medicine more interesting—and a whole lot happier—for all of us.
Dr. Rob Beck, Host — The Interesting MD Podcast