Emotional burnout leads to physical burnout, like a car running out of gas. If a person hits bottom before attempting to help himself, returning to “normal” could take much longer.
Recognizing the symptoms of burnout are important for the individual and those who work/live/interact with him.
According to the famous psychologist, Dr. Joyce Brothers, people who help others on the front lines of tragedy often become overwhelmed themselves. From counselors to doctors to first responders, compassionate professionals and volunteers become victims of burnout, also called “vicarious trauma” or “compassion fatigue.” Caretakers will understand the term “the cost of caring,” military spouses speak of “the proximity effect,” and healthcare workers might speak of “secondhand shock” or “empathic strain.”
Whatever you call it, and whatever the cause, prevention is better than the cure because once the body has succumbed to overload, it is much harder to recover fully.
In fact, overstressed workers who suffer “burnout” will show multiple symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often diagnosed in war veterans. Dr. Brothers notes that burnout victims “suffer from nightmares or intrusive thoughts, sleeplessness or hypervigilance,
Burnout is not only suffered by compassionate caretakers, but it can also happen to those who deal with emotional suffering on a daily basis as in “banking, insurance-claim adjusting, veterinary medicine, employment agencies, journalism and caring for elderly parents.” (Brothers, 12-30-09.)
Dr. Brothers says there are trained individuals that recognize the potential for burnout for certain groups of people, and they offer seemingly-successful programs to them called “critical incident stress debriefing.” Trained leaders who work directly with traumatized people for days to weeks after a shared crisis can help workers cope again.
As stated earlier, prevention is better than a cure. People in high-stress jobs or compassionate- care situations or those who frequently deal with abuse or trauma must learn to recognize their own symptoms of burnout. Family members, friends, co-workers and other people who interact with such workers should be mindful of the symptoms, also, because “victims” often do not realize what is happening to them until they crash.
To avoid burnout, the individual obviously must take care of himself to be able to continue functioning on a high level.
All of the traditional stress reducers and healthy habits apply: eat well, get adequate sleep, relax whenever possible, take breaks, share the workload, and talk through frustrations and concerns with a trusted friend or family member. Exercise, avoid caffeinated and sugary foods, and do not depend on negative, temporary stress-reducers like alcohol or smoking, which further decrease the body’s ability to use coping mechanisms properly.
Do workouts; take up a sport; read for enjoyment; watch comedies on TV; read cartoons; and/or meditate.
Some people love messages; others react well to aroma or music therapy or a soothing, warm bath.
Your body knows what makes it feel better. Take time to care for yourself. There is a saying, “If mama ain’t happy, there ain’t nobody happy.” You don’t need to be a first responder or trauma worker to know that parenting is a huge, seemingly-thankless, heavy responsibility and stay-at-home parents are susceptible to burnout, too. Caring people can step in to share the load; simply take time to listen to the person who wishes to unburden himself/herself; watch the kids for a time; or give the parents a break for a few hours while they go to re-charge themselves.
Life is stressful. Most people are susceptible to burnout if they overwork, push themselves beyond their endurance levels, easily absorb others’ pain, or neglect personal needs.
Being aware of the symptoms, avoiding overloads, and recognizing one’s own limitations and the build-up of symptoms as they inevitably occur in certain occupations, can go a long way in preventing burnout.
Short of wearing a sign saying, “I need to be re-charged,” conscientious, at-risk workers simply must practice self-care and prevention to avoid becoming victims of burnout, unable to help themselves or the needy ones who depend on them.
Source: Dr. Joyce Brothers, “Vicarious Trauma And Compassion Fatigue,” King Features Syndicate. E-mailed newsletter dated 12-30-09.
