How do we do it?

[50960]

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I get asked the question "how do you do this" all the time; meaning (how do I hear all these tragic stories day in and out, and still cope with life relatively normally)?? I imagine everyone has developed or is developing their own mechanisms for compartmentalizing or coping with this information, and would like to discuss that here......... 🙂

 

[Pterion]

I get asked the question "how do you do this" all the time; meaning (how do I hear all these tragic stories day in and out, and still cope with life relatively normally)?? I imagine everyone has developed or is developing their own mechanisms for compartmentalizing or coping with this information, and would like to discuss that here......... 🙂

Some friends of mine created a "peer supervision" group that meant about once a month to discuss cases they were handling - or not handling as the case may be. It sounded silly to me at first, as they spent a lot of time socializing by their own discription. With time I realized that the point of a group supervision was not simply to get feedback on tough cases. It was also to take spend time with others who could understand the pressures and stresses of the job, decompress, and reassure you that you are not alone.

 

[50960]

Great response! Thanks. BTW, we welcome psychiatry on this??? 🙂

 

[50960]

I guess nobody has a clue. You will need to have one when you get into the workplace....too bad we could not discuss this.

 

[alienarms]

Although I'm not yet treating people, I work with a number of clinical populations in my job as a research assistant-depression, PTSD, chronic pain, and so on. Even during phone screens, I'm finding that people are anxious to share their problems and reach out, and I hear a lot of painful stories. When they actually come to the center for screening visits, I learn even more about them. Like I said, I'm not a licensed clinician yet and I certainly don't present myself as someone who can offer treatment-but I listen, and I listen carefully. Some of the things I've heard have followed me home on more than one occasion.

The best way I've found to deal with it is to focus on the strength that some of these folks have had in dealing with their problems. Many of them are really strong, inspirational people. And then I think about the fact that the work we are doing will contribute to helping "my" research participants and people like them-and it's worth it.

 

[MeghanHF]

okay, here are my two cents...good supervision, close colleagues who have similar experiences, really loud music, nature, and my dog. 😉

 

[PublicHealth]

Sex, alcohol, and heavy metal (my personal version of S, D, & R&R). Avoidance coping rocks!

 

[alienarms]

Yay avoidance!

 

[lazure]

Stable, healthy and fulfilling relationships with significant others outside psychology. Peer supervision (aka peer venting) also rocks. Physical exercise.

 

[codetype4/9]

buffalo wings.

 

[Sorg1123]

When I worked in direct care we would discuss the days events (usually after tought days) over drinks and dinner. This field can take a toll on you if you're not carefull and mindfull of the stressors and pressures that seem to inevitably build up. I've seen quite a few persons of varying professional levels present themselves as burt-out and in need of release and refocussing. As I said it's important to be mindful that this can happen and to be proactive in managing the stressors of this field. To relax I enjoy playing guitar, reading, exercising and channeling any stress I feel into witty political repartee!

 

[bigmood]

Work hard, play hard, right?
I'm only just beginning this whole business, but from talking with upperclassmen and from my limited patient contact experiences so far, I feel like at some point, you have to leave work at work. I think a prerequisite for this type of career/study is the ability to compartmentalize. I also think this will be a huge challenge for me being the super empathetic person/workaholic I am.

I agree with others in that social support plays a huge role in how you cope. I wish more people in this forum would talk specifically about the cases they see, etc... I'd be really interested in others' experiences.

 

[psychwhy]

At my internship, we learned quickly the limitations of our formulary ... we self-medicated with copious amounts of alcohol.

We did our best to seek out support and comfort from each other. But, as I've alluded to on other threads, there was an inherent difficulty in that plan -- we were a group of socially and regionally disparate people, drawn together solely for spending a year together as interns and fellows.

I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments posted by others (e.g. peer support/supervision, utilization of external support systems, hobbies, etc.) But, the profession does a poor job of role modelling that approach when it practically requires that clinical interns move to unfamiliar parts of the country in order to secure a position. This often results in interns moving away from spouses/children, certainly from their hometowns and/or extended families.

Given the inherent imbalance in the internship structure, its also pretty much a crap shoot if you are going to end up at a facility you truly wanted and felt like you'd work well within. That presumption disappears completely if you were "successful" and placed via the Clearinghouse. Your first exposure to your internship site is when you report for orientation. (Sorry, but I don't think a phone interview really is an adequate means of judging the nature and personalities of the staff with which you potentially will be working.)

I do hope those practicing in the field are able to utilize whatever healthy coping strategies allow for "recharging the batteries."

 

[phd2006]

sociopathic indifference?

Wonder if PCL-R factor scores would predict coping in graduate school?

Seriously.....

Peer supervision/support, family/friends/loved ones, hobbies not related to psychology, compartmentalization, being able to laugh, allow yourself time to 'escape' (whether it be watching the silliest sitcom or any activity that allows you to not think about work for at least an hour or so) are all essential.

 

[Sanman]

How do I cope with it.....grabbing a beer with some fellow students and talking about our cases/ issues with them to each other, tennis, lifting weights, laying on my couch and watching tv to decompress. I think the peer supervision group idea was good and we were thinking of doing something like that at my program, though a little more formally.

 

[Dr.JT]

How do I cope with it...by being incredibly cynical and deriving inspiration from Jon Snow.

 

[Dr.JT]

For your cynicism? Ouch, I should stop posting!

No JS the cynicism and inspiration are separate. I do just fine in the cynicism department all by myself. It goes with assessing malingerers on a regular basis.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

My main areas of focus (Eating Disorders, Trauma) tend to NEED an outlet. I have a couple people that I talk to, and I also have friends/family that are willing to listen about my general concerns. It is always a balance to not talk specifics, but also get across why something is bothering me.

I try (and usually succeed) in seperating work from my life outside of work. This was probably the hardest thing to figure out b/c I am a reformed work-aholic. I think it is important to have releases outside of work. I play on a club sports team, shoot photography, and compose music. Each activity serves a different purpose (physical release, mental release, and spiritual release....respectively).

Some days are definately worse than others. I had a pretty tough week last week. It wasn't one specific thing, but a lot of little things and a pretty constant negativity with my patients (I work in-patient, so things tend to ebb and flow). Thankfully I had a GREAT friday and that salvaged the week. I actually left work (late as usual), but feeling like I really facilitated some positive work with my individual patients and my groups. I wish I have more of those days, but they are a nice reminder of why I do what I do.

-p