In this video, Michele and Jerry discuss the basics of self-care for health care workers. They discuss the problems with professionals recognizing they need to take care of themselves.
Physician, heal thyself: Self-Care
“From the Bible, Luke 4:23 (King James Version): And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.”
How often is this quote used when dealing with people who are in the healing professions. Yet, rarely do schools that train the healers emphasize this critical aspect of learning. Due to the perception that certain people do not need to be taught or held accountable for their self-care, there is a woeful lack of evidence that this is not true.
The official name for compassion fatigue is “Combat and Occupational Stress Reaction or Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder.” This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and anyone on staff. Moyers talks about this in a war zone, but it can occur to caregivers who work day-to-day with people who experience trauma.
For more about this read:
Stress that healers acquire while doing their work, often called “compassionate trauma” has only recently been studied. Just like PTSD, the trauma acquired while working with people who are in pain, tragedy, and horrific circumstances are very real. Firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses are on the front lines of tragedy and trauma. If they experienced this as a child, yes, they may be better suited for a career in that field, but also their ability to safeguard themselves is usually limited.
Discussed in this film is a very common situation where getting into the helping field is an unhealthy way to deal with their own trauma and childhood.
Self Care for the Health Professional especially in recovery
Very common with people in recovery working in the field are frequent relapses., see this link:
https://www.micheledowney.com/preventing-relapse/
What does a support system look like for the Healer in the health professions?
It may sound like a simple answer. Knowing and doing are entirely different words. People who are in the business of “knowing” and helping others get the help they need are often victims of this strange issue. Doing the work to build a support system is entirely different. Knowing what it looks like or what to do to acquire it can be a challenge. Support systems look different for different people.
For some, it may mean finding others that have experience doing the same line of work successfully and aren’t”burned out” in the process. This means seeking outside help in the form of a coach, mentor, or therapist and being held accountable to this individual.
It may mean joining a group that also has the accountability factor but also a group of people who are able to share their experience, strength, and hope in a special safe setting. It may mean finding the right group of people to exercise regularly with, a group that has a special understanding of you and your particular stressors.
For self-help what does a support base look like?
A “Support Base” includes the diversity and balance of people in your life. This can range from at least 10 people in your 12-step program whom you call and have called during a problem or crisis for feedback. Emotionally nurturing and available people who genuinely care about you is paramount. In a crisis, you know certain people you can reliably contact in certain areas getting concrete, solid, and accurate direction. Equality is important in relationships.
A sponsor is not a support base but could be part of a supportive base. Support people could include your therapist, psychiatrist, hairdresser, and barber. Everyday people whom you interact with like a manicurist, physician, dentist, service technician, handyman, and veterinarian. Various examples could also range from computer teachers or other types of teachers, along with your friends.
Nurturing people are those who could fill the roles of Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Daughter, or Son, especially if these biological people are not always available or capable of the type of support you require. The more support, the better. Balance in your friendships, giving and receiving, is ideal.
Even more types of support bases for health professionals
Any other types of support groups or organizations such as church or temple, spiritual group, Overcomer’s Christian groups or other types of groups not traditionally l2-step based. Molest, Incest, Cancer, Divorce, and Suicide-survivor types of group support are examples.
Becoming part of hobby types of groups such as painting, antique, photography, woodworking, model airplanes, am and crafts, gardening society like the rose or iris society, etc. Involvement in sports types of organizational groups like baseball and basketball teams or game types of supports and classes like bridge, chess, boating, windsurfing, sailing, skating, etc.
Dance and exercise types of groups can be especially helpful. Jazzercise, Ballet, Yoga, Tai Chi, Karate, Gong Chi, Belly dancing, Zumba, Modern dance are great examples. At your local gym or YMCA, they usually have swimming, weight lifting, exercise rooms, racquetball, tennis, and aerobic types of classes and groups.
Local newspapers list all types of support groups ranging from military to aviation to drama to music and volunteer- types of groups. Joining organizations that you believe in or want to help support in your community.