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Watch Out for Burnout!

Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Ron McMurray. Watch Out for Burnout!. Definition. “Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by long-term involvement in emotionally demanding situation.” Pines and Aronson

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Watch Out for Burnout!

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  1. Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Ron McMurray Watch Out for Burnout!

  2. 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

  3. 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.

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

  5. 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?

  6. 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.

  7. Burnout !

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.”

  13. 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.

  14. Happy Home Life?

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Terrorist Stress

  20. 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.

  21. 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

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