Doctors as strong clever resourceful professionals are heir to human frailty and illness like anyone else. This book is about diagnosable label-able mental illness such as eating disorders affective disorders and sometimes psychosis. More than that it is a book about doctors many fully-functioning practising doctors who suffer from these illnesses and the unique insights and problems that arise when the doctor is the patient especially when questions of insight and judgement are blurred. Doctors as Patients provides lessons for dealing with this situation - for doctors treating other ill doctors and for doctors who are currently ill or who may themselves suffer illness in the future. It is an unique combination of first-hand experiences of being an ill doctor and practical advice on self-help flexible working financial issues employment law and support organisations. The contributors offer both positive and negative experiences to stimulate thought and encourage understanding. They write with wit optimism desperation and candour. Practising doctors doctors suffering from illness medical students occupational health specialists and policy makers will be able to use this book as an explanation a life-line a vital reference and most importantly a reinforcement of shared humanity. 'We owe a great deal to the doctors who have been brave enough to tell their stories in this book and to Petre Jones for gathering them together. Through their honesty perhaps others may feel able to share their own experiences and to seek the help of organizations like the Doctors' Support Network when they need it.' Mike Shooter in the Foreword