The stigma of psychology….stigma, shmigma. Would you tell someone who finds a lump in their breast that they shouldn’t go to the doctor to get it checked out because they aren’t knocking on death’s door? Of course not! Then why would there be a stigma to seeking out a psychologist to learn some ways to manage stress before you feel your life is out of control?
I hit my burnout breaking point two years ago. I reached a point where I could not manage any stressful situation in my life. I was also compounding the stress by creating some of it myself. I had become paranoid, thinking everyone was out to get me, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t arrive at any solutions to issues I encountered, and began unwittingly sabotaging my own career, health, and relationships. I had just arrived at my new assignment and within two weeks, succumbed to a major mental meltdown.
I work at a medical facility, and spend my days among some of the most compassionate and caring people I have ever known. I began going to Mental Health to gain some practical knowledge on how to get my brain to a healthier state. It’s like your body. You aren’t going to even be able to walk to the doorway, much less run around the block with broken legs.
I learned about how important sleep is and how I can train myself to get to sleep and sleep longer. I learned about HOW to think about things…there are angles that you should never look at things from. I learned about breathing. You would think that people should know how to breathe…I mean, we are all still alive, so we must know how to breathe. Try this: Close your eyes and take a few deep, slow breaths. Don’t tell me that didn’t feel good! I learned about having a mantra. When things seem to be getting to be too much and I want to fall back in to my old ways of panic and paranoia, my mantra is “It’s going to be okay.” That, and some deep breathing, and I’m back.
I now recognize burnout in others, like they are wearing a flashing red sign around their neck. I see their behavior and am utterly baffled that I spent years of my life dealing with things the way they do. I have softly suggested they visit Mental Health, if for nothing more than to grab some of their literature. I often get told, “I just don’t want people knowing that I am going to Mental Health. People will think I’m ‘unstable’.” Seriously? People pretty much know you are unstable…they work with you every day and can see you are seconds away from knocking your computer off your desk, screaming and running out!
So, suck it up, Buttercup! Get the help you need that is readily available to you. I did…I do…and it has made all the difference.
