Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Ron McMurray

Definition  “Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by long-term involvement in emotionally demanding situation.” Pines and Aronson  “Burnout is used to subscribe a syndrome that goes beyond the physical fatigue from overwork. Stress and emotional exhaustion are part of it, but the hallmark o burnout is the distancing that goes on in response to the overload.” Maslach

Compassion Fatigue  “The natural behaviors and emotional that arise from knowing about a traumatizing event experienced by a significant other – the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized person” – Figley  Overexposure to trauma – loss of definition – can’t visualize the trauma any longer.  Personal Trauma – when we fail to care for our own trauma we set up the opportunity for C.F.

Differences  Unlike burnout, Compassion Fatigue can emerge suddenly and without warning.  Symptoms are often disconnected from the real cause.  Faster recovery than burnout.

Harsh Realities to Face  Average of 150 police officers are killed each year in Line of Duty Deaths ( collisions, accidents, shootings, stabbings, etc. )  Average of 400 police officers a year are killed by suicide. ( stress and burnout that leads to alcoholism, DV, divorces, drug abuse ).  Statistically what is the greater danger for police officers?

Burnout – Crispy Critter  Emotional exhaustion – “I feel emotionally drained from my work.”  Burnout is the disease of the over-committed (expect more from self than can perform).  Burnout occurs from excessive job demands, being emotionally overextended and exhausted by one’s work, feeling “drained”.  Police work will harden you, desensitize you to feelings of others. Resents superiors.  Must remember: You are having a positive influence on the lives of others.

Burnout !

Psychological Symptoms  Feeling of anger and resentment towards public, family, organization.  Negativism – “Everyone is a scumbag.”  Feeling of guilt and blame  Depression – low morale  Feeling discouraged and indifferent  Sense of failure  Feeling powerless and hopeless  Nomadic – move from one dept to another trying to avoid being stagnant.

Physical Symptoms  Feeling tired during the workday  Fatigue ( stay up late, waste time, buy on impulse).  Exhaustion – low sex drive.  Sleep disorders  Frequent headaches  Frequent colds and flu  Frequent vague aches and pains

Behavioral Symptoms  High Absenteeism  Postponing client contacts  Avoiding discussions at work with colleagues  Irritability with clients and co-workers  Avoiding work responsibility  Working harder and getting less done  Marital and family conflicts  Rigid, demanding, refuse to acknowledge wrong.

Major Causes of Burnout  Work Environment, Individual Issues, Stress. WORK ENVIRONMENT  Role Conflicts  Ambiguity – having several meanings therefore confusing you as to what to do.  Autonomy – “I am an army of one” = B.S. or “I don’t need anyone else.” = Defeated cop.  No opportunity to participate in decisions.  Lack of control over one’s job.  Repetitive job – same old stuff day after day.

Individual Issues  Young idealistic professionals who have unrealistic expectations about the job. “ I am going to save America”. - Realistic expectation: “ I am going to do the best job I can within the boundaries of my training and expertise.” - “ I am making a difference but understand that it may not always be appreciated.” - “ I will be responsible to God, the Sheriff, and my co-workers for my actions.”

Individual Issues  Empathetic people who pour too much of themselves into their job ( nothing left for the spouse, significant other, children, family, friends).  Perfectionism  Pessimism  Type A personality – choleric, hard driving, most cops have this type of personality so are difficult to work with at times.  Excitability – not thinking when it hits the fan.

Happy Home Life?

Stress  Eustress is good stress that motivates you to perform or do the job.  Distress is bad and will defeat you, cause you to screw up, get hurt, or hurt someone else.  Cumulative stress: like grains of sand that keep piling up on you they can eventually smother you.  Police work is high stress work so must have stress coping mechanisms.

Stress vs. Burnout  Over engagement Disengagement  Over-reactive emotions Blunted emotions  Hyperactivity Helplessness and hopelessness  Anxiety disorders Paranoia, detachment, depression  Damages physical (heart) Damages emotional  Will kill you prematurely Not kill you but feel that your life is not worth living.

Combating Burnout  Become more tolerant of the right of others to think and feel differently than you do.  Learn to say “NO” to things you don’t want to do.  Simplify your life ( decrease your $$$ debt).  Say to yourself each day, “I don’t have to be perfect.”  Keep your situation in perspective by looking around you and seeing those less fortunate than you.

Combating Burnout  Relaxation – hobbies, sports, vacations, etc.  Exercise  Eating well balanced meals.  Be positive – don’t let cynicism rule your life.  Find fun distractions ( concerts, football games, fishing, hunting, family events)  Get professional help if you need it.

Terrorist Stress

Rules to Live By  Don’t take yourself too seriously, laugh at self from time to time.  Don’t be a cop at home (pack a gun, write down all license plates in neighborhood, etc.)  Don’t have only cops for friends.  Take time off and get out of the area.  Assign a positive role model supervisor.  Find someone to talk to who will listen and tell you the truth about yourself.

Final Word  It is a sign of strength to be able to admit you may have a problem with burnout.  Burnout causes low morale in a department so learn to control it rather than allowing it to control you!  Seek a positive role model who has a successful career, is positive, has a good reputation for self- control and doing a good job. THE END