I believe I have finally burned out. However, surprisingly it came during the chief residency when I have some sort of real power and autonomy. Regardless, I am looking for some remedies from colleagues who went through or have been going through this. The reason I wanted to discuss this in psychiatry forum is because of significant denial my colleagues from other departments exhibit. In addition to that, I believe psychiatrists are more insightful. This can also serve as a thread for some who are not coming forward but in need for suggestions.
I am a psychiatrist ( well, almost 5 more months ) and obviously inclined to observe a lot. I can cite social isolation due to pandemic, significantly decreased in person patient visits, working with patient population that has significant antisocial character pathology, increased EHR use during pandemic for excessive documentation, due to lack of staff during COVID being asked to give LAIs, do referrals to detox/rehab, obtain insurance authorization, swab the patients for COVID etc. as main factors, respectively.
I experience cynicism, apathy, loss of empathy (mostly for staff not for the patients), decreased sense of accomplishment, irritability and lethargy (laziness in lay term)
I sought help from a therapist who turned to be an analyst (Yes, they still exist). I started feeling a little uncomfortable when he associated my boredom with the departure of my mother in early age. I asked what to do about it. He said will work it through in 3 to 4 times a week sessions (Seriously????). I realized that the sessions regress me more than I can tolerate so I quit.
I have never been a huge fan of CBT because of my failed attempts engaging it with my own patient population. Found it somehow concrete and superficial. I am trying peer counseling now which is basically pure supportive in its approach and seems like helps me get going.
I dont want to lengthen the post and bore my colleagues further , what are the recommendations? Any source to overcome this? If you went through something similar personally, what helped you?
Thanks for the suggestions
I am a psychiatrist ( well, almost 5 more months ) and obviously inclined to observe a lot. I can cite social isolation due to pandemic, significantly decreased in person patient visits, working with patient population that has significant antisocial character pathology, increased EHR use during pandemic for excessive documentation, due to lack of staff during COVID being asked to give LAIs, do referrals to detox/rehab, obtain insurance authorization, swab the patients for COVID etc. as main factors, respectively.
I experience cynicism, apathy, loss of empathy (mostly for staff not for the patients), decreased sense of accomplishment, irritability and lethargy (laziness in lay term)
I sought help from a therapist who turned to be an analyst (Yes, they still exist). I started feeling a little uncomfortable when he associated my boredom with the departure of my mother in early age. I asked what to do about it. He said will work it through in 3 to 4 times a week sessions (Seriously????). I realized that the sessions regress me more than I can tolerate so I quit.
I have never been a huge fan of CBT because of my failed attempts engaging it with my own patient population. Found it somehow concrete and superficial. I am trying peer counseling now which is basically pure supportive in its approach and seems like helps me get going.
I dont want to lengthen the post and bore my colleagues further , what are the recommendations? Any source to overcome this? If you went through something similar personally, what helped you?
Thanks for the suggestions