WORK-RELATED STRESS AND BURNOUT

Objectives Identify signs and symptoms of stress, reality shock, and burnout Describe the impact of stress, reality shock, and burnout on the individual and the health-care team Evaluate his or her own colleagues’ stress levels Develop strategies to manage personal and professional stresses

Statistics More people have heart attacks on Monday morning as they prepare to go to work than on any other day of the week Two-thirds of all office visits to physicians are the result of stress Stress plays a role in the two major killers of adults: heart disease and cancer

Stress Effects of Stress Hans Selye first explored the concept of stress in the 1930’s His description of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) has influenced our present-day notions about stress and its effects on humans Stress is assessed on four levels Environmental Social Physiological Psychological

Good Stress versus Bad Stress Seven factors identified: Good stresses allow people to exert a high level of control over outcomes. Bad stresses allow little or no control Positive feelings are associated with good stress and negative or ambivalent feelings occur with bad stress Eagerness is associated with good stress

Good Stress versus Bad Stress Exhaustion and avoidance are associated with bad stress Good stress associated with personal growth and improved interpersonal relationships. Bad stress is associated with limitations and bad relationships Processing all stress requires human action

Reality Shock First few weeks are the “honeymoon’’ phase Honeymoon phase won’t last forever Graduates often feel a conflict between professional and work goals

Differences in Expectations To cope with reality, you must recognize: Expectations are distortions of reality (this can bring about disappointment) To some extent, you need to fit yourself into your work, not fit the work to suit your needs or demands The way you perceive events on the job will influence how you feel about your work

Your mental attitude will affect whether work is a pleasant or unpleasant experience Feelings of helplessness and powerlessness cause frustration and unrelieved job stress

BURN OUT Health Promotion Program

Definition of Burn Out Usually is a gradual depletion of emotional, mental and physical energy due to work related stress.

“Characterized by emotional exhaustion, a sense of depersonalization, and feelings of reduced personal accomplishment.” Definition of Burn Out -Dr. Kenneth Cooper

Burn out also known as- Listless Fatigued Unmotivated Drained Exhausted Bored

Common Causes Work Overload Lack of rewards Belief and or lack of control Issues of unfairness

Burn Out Everyone is at risk and all are susceptible! Often it is your negative reaction rather than the specific job...

Symptoms of Burn Out Poor work performance Relationship problems Health problems Negative feelings Substance misuse/abuse Feelings of meaninglessness

Aspects (4 stages) of burnout High expectation and idealism Pessimism and early job dissatisfaction Withdrawal and isolation Irreversible detachment and loss of interest

Phases of Burn Out Exhaustion Shame & Doubt Callous & Cynical Helplessness, Failure & Crisis

What can I do?

What I can do! Take good care of myself on a regular (daily, weekly) basis! Review these sites

What I can do Ask for help! Talk to others about your difficulties and seek their support… Develop a plan to address burn out

What I can do? Increase my Personal Power! Find and establish ways to control and manage my time, space, workload, pace, resources, future and perceptions...

What I can do! Rest & Retreat Release Regroup Make personal changes Regenerate

What I can do Find purpose and meaning in activities- at work, home & community! Handle workplace stressors- before they manage me!

Reevaluate my goals and priorities Do not take the whole load myself! Learn my own limits, and set limits with others Ask for what I want and do not assume that I will get it

Forgive myself when I make a mistake... Get rid of any of my perfectionist behaviors and expectations Do not take on others burdens!

Preventing Burn Out Know your stress danger zones at work and at home Avoid or address the dangers as soon as possible! Daily self care!

I CHOOSE… I choose to relish my days I choose to enjoy this moment I choose to be fully present to others I choose to fully engage in the activity at hand I choose to proceed at a measured, effective pace I choose to acknowledge all I have achieved so far I choose to focus on where I am and what I am doing I choose to acknowledge that this is the only moment in which I can take action.