Eighty-two percent of psychiatrists said they believe happiness and balance is attainable in the profession, but the number of providers who said they are experiencing happiness is falling short, according to a March 7 Medscape report.
The report surveyed 5,741 physicians across more than 29 specialties between July 1 and Oct. 2. Survey responses were then analyzed based on specialty to create the “Striving for Balance in Your Specialty: Medscape Psychiatrist Mental Health & Well-Being Report 2025.”
Here are 17 numbers to know:
1. Of psychiatrists, 31% said their overall happiness has improved compared to the last three years, but 25% said it has worsened. When asked about work-life balance, 29% said it had improved and 32% said it had worsened.
2. More male psychiatrists said their overall happiness had improved compared to female (35% versus 28%), and the percentage of psychiatrists that said happiness had worsened was roughly the same for both genders (24% men versus 26% women).
3. Twenty-six percent of psychiatrists said they are struggling with burnout, compared to 2% struggling with depression and 14% struggling with both.
4. Here are five notes about lifestyle factors among psychiatrists:
- Fifty-seven percent have less than one drink a month
- Fifty-six percent said they are trying to lose weight.
- Most psychiatrists rated their diet at very healthy or somewhat healthy, 21% and 62% respectively.
- Only 11% of psychiatrists said they do not workout.
- Sixty-one percent said they would take a pay cut for improved work-life balance.
