Both chronic and acute stress narrows one’s mental perspective. Most often, this is referred to as “tunnel vision.” We become fixated on the problem at hand or its negative impacts on our lives, and much else fades away. The result? The predicament usually looks and feels bigger and more insurmountable than it actually is. Research…
We all use denial on occasion, sometimes to our benefit. Without it, we become too focused on the everyday risks of living in our world, and the anxieties these can generate. However, when it comes to a pandemic, denial is a dangerous thing. A study out of the University of Texas shows that, when we…
As a child, during times of distress, did you seek comfort in a stuffed animal, a lullaby, an imaginary friend, a secret hiding place or good luck charm? Most of us did in one fashion or another. Psychologists call these objects, sounds and places “safety signals,” meaning they afford us a sense of solace when…
Of the many self-care approaches recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the simplest and most powerful is smiling — or even pretending to smile. A wealth of behavioral science research proves the many benefits of putting on a smile, including: Stress reduction: Smiling reduces stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. It’s as if a…
The cumulative effect of a stressful two years is real for us, our family members, and our clients and colleagues. It’s safe to assume that most everyone we work with, as well as those we serve, are carrying some amount of weight on their shoulders that impacts their daily interpersonal interactions. You may find that…
Optimism is the best mental attitude, right? While it may seem obvious, when things go downhill, die-hard, “What, me worry?” optimists may discover they harbor a hidden Achilles’ heel. Blind faith optimism is a fragile mental bubble in a world teeming with sharp experiential edges, leaving one ill-prepared to handle life’s tough challenges. Granted, in…
Prior to the pandemic, the AMA determined the lifetime prevalence of self-reported depression among physicians approximated the general population at 13% of males and 20% of females. Since the pandemic, several studies, including in Frontiers in Psychiatry, found significantly increased rates of depression (73%) among critical care physicians. According to the NIH, pre-pandemic, physicians experienced…
According to the CDC, mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in America, and physicians are not immune. Still, doctors are more reticent to seek mental health care than the general population, in part due to concerns over confidentiality, licensure, job security, and professional image. Some physicians may be more comfortable sharing their…
A 2021 Medscape survey found 70% of physicians feel burned out, with 10% considering leaving the profession altogether. This inquiry predated the Omicron surge, which has likely worsened burnout and compassion fatigue. These findings emphasize the need for self-care approaches that are evidence-based and doable despite a lack of free time and energy reserves among…
Compassion fatigue occurs when someone takes on so much of the stress and suffering of those around them that they become exhausted. While it is common to people in helping professions, it may occur to anyone who is in a caregiving or emotionally supportive role. Signs of compassion fatigue include: Isolating from others Physical problems…