Healthcare professionals tend to hide their vulnerable side so as not to look weak among the patients they are looking after. It’s expected of them to be strong and resilient all the time especially in the operating room. It is also a common trait of healthcare workers to compartmentalize their emotions to avoid pouring them out during their exhausting shifts. But afterwards, their hidden vulnerabilities rush to the surface as soon as life stressors hit them.
If you’re a healthcare individual, we want to reassure you here at Roots that you can be transparent and raw about your struggles. What you’re feeling is valid and it’s important for you to be able to process what you’re experiencing with professional help.
Medical and healthcare professionals may have tendencies to experience trauma, mental health disorders, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. As an effect of their prolonged working hours and minimal rest most of the time, they may resort to other unhealthy ways to address their exhaustion. It’s important to be mindful of when to seek help so here are the different symptoms for each condition healthcare workers may be experiencing.
What are the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder?
- Intrusive, unwanted memories of the event, nightmares, flashbacks, and extreme responses to situations that remind you of the trauma.
- Avoidance, not wanting to talk about it, avoiding people or places that remind you.
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, and having negative thoughts about others and the world.
- Loss of interest in the things you love.
- Emotional numbness.
- Tough time expressing positive emotions.
- Changes in physical and emotional responses to situations, like hyper-vigilance, self-destructive behavior, irritability, rage, and often feelings of guilt or shame.
What are the symptoms of depression and anxiety?
- Low energy, fatigue
- Changes in appetite
- Sleeping problems: oversleeping, insomnia, restless, unsatisfying sleep
- Muscle tension
- Racing heart
- Grinding teeth
- Cramps, or gastrointestinal problems
- Panic attacks
- Pessimistic outlook
- Difficulty making decisions
- Feelings of emptiness and grief
- Anger, irritability, or restlessness
- Low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Constant worrying
- Suicide attempts
What are the symptoms of depression and anxiety?
- Behavior changes
- Increased irritability, agitation, and paranoia
- Trouble managing responsibilities at work, school, or home
- Decreased involvement and motivation
- Inability to focus
- A lot of time spent seeking the substance or dealing with its aftereffects
- Mood swings
- Change in sleeping habits
- Fatigue or difficulty waking up
- Hallucinations
- Injection marks
- Bloodshot eyes
- Seizures
- Inability to stop using the substance even when the problems above are present
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