Helpers Need Help in Avoiding Burnout
The helping professions, including those in the medical and educational fields to name only two, have been reluctant to recognize the symptoms of burnout, that point in a career where the work is too draining, too painful, too depressing. Life takes on the aura of constantly being in the eye of a storm and happiness is an elusive quality that is always out of reach.
Now, a research review in the May 2006 issue of Psychological Bulletin (132:3) looked at studies of work-related burnout and found that there appears to be a strong association between burnout and cardiovascular disease. One of the interesting and curious associations the reviewers found is between lower levels of cortisol in burnout sufferers. Although cortisol is a stress hormone and would expect to be high in these individuals, Dr. Samuel Melamed, the lead author, believes that a deficit of this hormone may actually work to cause hyperactivity in an inflammatory process in the body. Since inflammation has been thought to be involved in everything from Alzheimer's Disease to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, it provides interesting clues that need further study.
It is Dr. Melamed's belief, in fact, that burnout may bring about physical changes which cause a worker to feel exhausted and weary. These are not just psychological factors, as might have been thought previously. The more effective means of treating burnout may not only be psychological but cover a wide range of other areas including the organization in which the person works, physiological factors and behavioral change.
Related Topics: What Is Caregiver Burnout?, Workplace Stress and Your Health
Technorati Tags: job stress, work-related burnout, heart disease
Now, a research review in the May 2006 issue of Psychological Bulletin (132:3) looked at studies of work-related burnout and found that there appears to be a strong association between burnout and cardiovascular disease. One of the interesting and curious associations the reviewers found is between lower levels of cortisol in burnout sufferers. Although cortisol is a stress hormone and would expect to be high in these individuals, Dr. Samuel Melamed, the lead author, believes that a deficit of this hormone may actually work to cause hyperactivity in an inflammatory process in the body. Since inflammation has been thought to be involved in everything from Alzheimer's Disease to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, it provides interesting clues that need further study.
It is Dr. Melamed's belief, in fact, that burnout may bring about physical changes which cause a worker to feel exhausted and weary. These are not just psychological factors, as might have been thought previously. The more effective means of treating burnout may not only be psychological but cover a wide range of other areas including the organization in which the person works, physiological factors and behavioral change.
Related Topics: What Is Caregiver Burnout?, Workplace Stress and Your Health
Technorati Tags: job stress, work-related burnout, heart disease
4 Comments:
I have been a full time student for 2.5 years and now I am in the nursing program. I feel that I am no longer interested in the things that I love to do, Im tired all the time, very forgetful, I get upset very easily. I also have a part time job and I am a single mom of 4 children. I dont want to give up what I know in my heart I love to do. But I feel so hopeless. My family is not so supportive. I feel so alone. What should I do. I don't know where to turn or who to talk to.
I'm 23 years old and I am the caregiver for my mother who has terminal cancer. The doctors are discussing putting her in a hospice type nursing home because they're worried it's too much for me and my 17 year old sister to handle. I would like to know more about non-profits and other organizations that might help provide assistance and care so we can keep my mom at home for her last few months. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I am in the navy and I work 8 to 13 hour days and I almost have no time for myself, my wife doesnt give me any support though we love eacother so much shes just so lazy. I'm trying to do school but I'm always being harrassed by my so called leaders who dont know or cant do anything for themselves and I'm having a nervous breakdown please help me.
I am a social worker who has recently was fired from a job that I was making 2x's as much as I am now. I was at the ER last week with abdominal pain they dx as colitis which I do not believe cause the symptoms are different. My bm's are different not c or d always, I feel overwhelmed and at times depressed not always. can this pain be burnout.? I am also 54 and have gone through menapause last year. Have hypertension. Help
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