Count down to nervous breakdown

[denna rn]

What I would like to know is that if a nurse is in need of a phychiatrist, can it or will it be used against her or him? Would I have to worry about being sued more often if I developed depression and severe anxiety disorder related to this job that is hell because there is never enough help and I could go on and on and on. Can you receive therapy just like normal people without it biting you on the rear?? Ok, now I'm going to the rubber room. See some of ya there? Thanks Denna rn

[cougarnurse]

No, seeing a psychiatrist should NOT be held against you. I know of several nurses who are on anti-anxiety meds. Of course, some will show up on urine tests. You should be honest about the meds, of course, but it isn't anyone's business why you see a shrink. Good luck!

'Cat'

[denna rn]

Cat
Thanks for you support and advise. Found out today that my appt isnt until Dec 8th!! And I'm not working at this time per therapists suggestion. It worries me to go that long without going back to the grind.Will it just make it worse. See , here I go being all negative and paranoid. It's gonna be ok, just gotta find the right med for this chemical imbalance that I have, and have prob always had. I've always had to have everything in its place and have it there when it's supposed to be there. Talk to ya later Ronna

[SoldierNurse]

Talk to us often!

[denna rn]

Originally Posted by MagRedC5

Talk to us often!

Well you said to "talk to us often", the only problem is that I'm talking to myself too, I even answer myself, I feel like I'm ok as long as I don't say HUH?????? when i answer myself. of course I'm joking, am feeling better, Dr. doesn't want me to go back to work yet as it is a crazy place right now, We don't have enough nurses and too many Dr.s that want us to do thier job too. Ok, no more griping, I think I'm gonna go clean out my gutters. I actually feel like doing something, not gonna think about my job for a while. Thanks Denna

[Ricu]

Hi all,

Much has been said here about depression and it's treatment but I'd like to focus on the healthcare occupation and how it may affect workers who live with the condition. I wholeheartedly agree that getting proper treatment for clinical depression is essential to functioning well but I really believe that developing survivor skills is essential to minimizing the impact that working as a nurse might have on a pre-existing condition or avoiding new onset.

In another thread, I was challenged for making the statement that survivor skills were needed in order to withstand the rigors of the healthcare workplace but I'm not sure the reader understood my point. The nurse is exposed to a significant amount of all forms of illness, pain, suffering, death, trauma, and so on and must shoulder the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies all of that. Factor in workplace politics and you have a scenario that causes what I believe is really PTSD.

We all know that nursing attracts a lot of different people but I think a major common trait among all of us is sensitivity. We are a very loving, caring, compassionate, empathic and nurturing lot and as such, absorb a lot of pain on a daily basis. This begs the question, how long can we keep it up? I think it depends on how we cope. Do we drink too much? Do we just suck it up? Can we separate ourselves from the plight of our patients, from the crappy working conditions? I think those who can do the latter are better able to cope with the job and suffer less depression as would be caused or worsened by the occupation.

In addition to effective communication skills which enable us to live and function in general, workplace survival skills enable us to work in the environment and leave it behind when our shift is done. This doesn't mean we remain distant or aloof. We can still love our patients and feel their pain but we learn to place boundaries. We frequently are exposed to pain and sadness, also joy and relief. It is normal for us to feel those emotions so we shouldn't deflect or bury them. When facing your response to any condition, feel it, process it, then let it go. If you find yourself struggling, get help. Never let bad feelings linger. We recognize that others' problems do not belong to us. Patients rely on us to help where, how, and as much as we can but we have to recognize that we cannot fix everything. We acknowledge that disease and death are not fair players. We can get angry about the inequity but it won't change the outcome. Every person has his burden in life and when it includes illness, our job is to help the patient with his. We can meet him where he is in the process, treat what we can, help cure what we can, and never neglect our commitment to easing pain and suffering. If there is no cure, there should be comfort and dignity.

If we try to take a realistic look at what we are truly able to accomplish and shoot for that goal, we can have peace of mind. This statement does not imply that we should not strive for excellence. On the contrary, we should always work to improve. I believe however, that the unrealistic goals and expectations of the "supernurse"; always in charge, handles all crises perfectly, always smiles, never cries, always takes the new patient... lead to disillusionment, burn-out, depression, chemical dependency and so on.

Just my two cents,

R

[denna rn]

Originally Posted by Ricu

Hi all,

Much has been said here about depression and it's treatment but I'd like to focus on the healthcare occupation and how it may affect workers who live with the condition. I wholeheartedly agree that getting proper treatment for clinical depression is essential to functioning well but I really believe that developing survivor skills is essential to minimizing the impact that working as a nurse might have on a pre-existing condition or avoiding new onset.

In another thread, I was challenged for making the statement that survivor skills were needed in order to withstand the rigors of the healthcare workplace but I'm not sure the reader understood my point. The nurse is exposed to a significant amount of all forms of illness, pain, suffering, death, trauma, and so on and must shoulder the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies all of that. Factor in workplace politics and you have a scenario that causes what I believe is really PTSD.

We all know that nursing attracts a lot of different people but I think a major common trait among all of us is sensitivity. We are a very loving, caring, compassionate, empathic and nurturing lot and as such, absorb a lot of pain on a daily basis. This begs the question, how long can we keep it up? I think it depends on how we cope. Do we drink too much? Do we just suck it up? Can we separate ourselves from the plight of our patients, from the crappy working conditions? I think those who can do the latter are better able to cope with the job and suffer less depression as would be caused or worsened by the occupation.

In addition to effective communication skills which enable us to live and function in general, workplace survival skills enable us to work in the environment and leave it behind when our shift is done. This doesn't mean we remain distant or aloof. We can still love our patients and feel their pain but we learn to place boundaries. We frequently are exposed to pain and sadness, also joy and relief. It is normal for us to feel those emotions so we shouldn't deflect or bury them. When facing your response to any condition, feel it, process it, then let it go. If you find yourself struggling, get help. Never let bad feelings linger. We recognize that others' problems do not belong to us. Patients rely on us to help where, how, and as much as we can but we have to recognize that we cannot fix everything. We acknowledge that disease and death are not fair players. We can get angry about the inequity but it won't change the outcome. Every person has his burden in life and when it includes illness, our job is to help the patient with his. We can meet him where he is in the process, treat what we can, help cure what we can, and never neglect our commitment to easing pain and suffering. If there is no cure, there should be comfort and dignity.

If we try to take a realistic look at what we are truly able to accomplish and shoot for that goal, we can have peace of mind. This statement does not imply that we should not strive for excellence. On the contrary, we should always work to improve. I believe however, that the unrealistic goals and expectations of the "supernurse"; always in charge, handles all crises perfectly, always smiles, never cries, always takes the new patient... lead to disillusionment, burn-out, depression, chemical dependency and so on.

Just my two cents,

R

Boy, man, well, I'm just going to have to think about it. Supernurse I'm not, but I think that I was trained that I had to be, that people depended on me and I literally , at times, have lives in my hands, its really hard not to be a perfectionist, you strive to be perfect and just end up getting the job done well enough to make it, do I want to limit expectations of myself? I don't know, I don't think that I do. I have handled things ok until this past year, I just gotta get my smile and confidence back. Maybe I need to change toothpaste, whatcha think, thanks R for you 2 cents worth, your rich with supportive , kind words, thanks alot, !!! Denna

[ToonTown Fan/RN]

Well, I'll probably get scathing replies too, but when did nursing become all about being responsible for the well being of patients? What is wrong with learning to do a job (i.e. care for the sick and injured) and doing it well without vesting emotionally in all of the woes we can't fix?

I am a fine nurse. I care about the patient's comfort, I take pains to deliver accurate, timely care, I keep the lines of communication open, and I impart as much knowledge to the patient and family as they are will to absorb. I educate when I can and accept when I can't. I refuse to take responsibility for the total patient. I can't control what they eat or how they take care of themselves when they aren't in my facility. But I can and have snatched the junk and cigarettes away while they are in my care.

Yet daily, I see nurses in what I believe is just as the previous poster alluded to - PTSD. Shell shocked by the vast enormity of sickness and distress out there. Caught up in the "I'm a nurse, I wanted to make it better, but it just keeps getting worse and worse" cycle. I can see well why the OP is having troubles adjusting. But OP if you are talking to yourself and answering, honestly, you haven't controlled your issues well enough yet. Seeing a psychiatrist for a mental disease is just like seeing a physician for a physical one - you are being a responsible adult in seeking treatment for a disorder. But don't ever go to work when you are not in control, medicated, therapized, whatever it takes to keep you rationally functional and in control. Because then it will bite you in the bum.

Maybe this is why nurses feel like they have to show up to work no matter what, take whatever is handed out, and keep on plugging. Nurse, heal thyself first.