There is a culture of shame and silence when it comes to the mental health struggles of healthcare professionals. We feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness. We tend to keep our problems bottled up inside until things get really bad. In today’s episode Dr. Natasha Holmes, a local pediatric doctor, shares her personal experience of burnout and depression in the medical field. You will learn:
- How to recognize early symptoms and signs of mental health deterioration
- Practical strategies for managing mental health
- Ideas for seeking support and communicating about the status of your mental health.
This episode talks about important and necessary topics that aren’t addressed frequently enough in the medical field.
I hope it makes you feel like you are NOT ALONE and you do not have to suffer in silence.
Use the audio player above to listen, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
JOURNEY TO BECOMING MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AND A COACH
Dr. Natasha Holmes is a local pediatric doctor and coach. She is a mental health advocate and writer and an ambassador for the doctor’s mental health charity UK Doc. In 2017, Natasha was in a specialized surgical field during her second year of practice in a hospital in the UK. She was in charge of receiving referrals from two different hospitals for this specialty in which she had limited training and performed numerous emergency treatments. She dealt with numerous serious medical emergencies, some of which she actually saved people from dying. Her mental health was significantly impacted by this incident, and she began experiencing morning sickness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and palpitations. She went to the doctor because she believed she had a medical problem, but they were unable to diagnose her. She was unaware that she was going through a lot of stress and anxiety, which eventually resulted in burnout and depression. It would take her several months before she received any mental health assistance since she pulled herself apart from her friends, coworkers, and family. She believed there was something wrong with her and felt ashamed of her symptoms. During therapy, which was a challenging period for her, she had to face the truth that she had no self-worth and no confidence. She was forced to list her accomplishments by her therapist during one treatment session, yet she still felt inadequate. But when her therapist informed her that she wasn’t the only one feeling these things, it became clear to her that it was alright to feel this way.
Natasha said that doctors are revered as heroes who are saving lives, and the medical field has traditionally been considered an elite and honorable one. The reality of medicine is, however, much more nuanced than this. Doctors are not exempt from mental health issues; in fact, due to a mix of personal traits and occupational obligations, they are more vulnerable to them. Doctors frequently sacrifice themselves for their patients, have a strong work ethic, and are perfectionists and competitive. These qualities are what initially drove them to medicine, but they can also be harmful to their mental health. The concept that doctors must be powerful and unbeatable is also reinforced by the fact that medical schools frequently train their students how to be competitive and stoic.
However, their ability to manage their own emotions, let alone those of their patients, has not been taught to them. Due to their lack of preparation, doctors may neglect their own mental health requirements and eventually burn out, get nervous, or develop depression.
Recovery from a difficult period is never simple, and for Natasha, it required taking six months off before she could return and complete her second year of medical school. This was an important turning point for her because it indicated that she is now completely qualified. However, she chose to travel, think back on everything that had happened, and shared her story with everyone.
The reason we haven’t talked about these negative feelings is that we are not taught to do that.
Dr. Natasha Holmes
Taking time off for her mental health
Natasha recounts her own experience of leaving her medical career for a while as a result of burnout and excessive stress. She stated that she felt compelled to take that time off since she had come to a stage where she was unable to help herself. She stresses that even though she wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone, she was appreciative of the time and assistance she was given during this trying time.
She admitted that she was fortunate to have her parents, who frequently checked in on her, as well as a supportive head of education in the hospital. As advised by her psychiatrist, she initially took three months off before returning to work. However, the position she returned to was much more stressful, requiring her to put in long hours with absent seniors, treat sick patients, and deliver devastating cancer news. She spoke about being overburdened and feeling forced to keep working since, if she left on time, her patients would have been in the care of a less qualified physician.
Natasha then considers her choice to take an additional three months off in light of this event, saying that she felt she had no other option. Natasha claim that she was unable to continue working in medicine and was unsure of her career goals. She draws attention to the fact that many doctors suppress their emotions since it would be difficult to confront them. These doctors often feel like they are on an escalator to success, ascending the ladder to become consultants. She highlighted how challenging it is to leave or step away from this escalator and that there are instances when a crisis situation is the only option to do so.
Jumping off to something new
Natasha considered how trauma in her life has changed her. She admits that she would never wish what she went through on anyone, but she also admits that her ordeal let her see things clearly and gain perspective in her life. Her goal through her work with @thewell_doctor and thewelldoctor.org is to educate people about the indications of trauma and the components of well-being so they can learn how to avoid it.
Natasha’s own traumatic experience brought her life into sharp relief. She was compelled to face her sadness and any uncertainties she had over a profession in medicine. She emphasizes how crucial it is to take some time to reflect on our life and objectives. Sometimes we need a strong wake-up call to push us to act in the direction of the life we want to lead and to remind us of what really matters. Because of this, it’s critical to concentrate on improving our well-being and spotting warning signs of trouble early on. By doing this, we may stop trauma from ever occurring and live our lives intentionally and purposefully.
THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE PERSON SHE WANTED TO BE
To organize her life and goals, she started using a bullet notebook. She wrote in her journal that she wanted to improve herself and learn how to be a better person who can help others. She pictured herself perched on a cliff’s brink, tempted to jump yet paralyzed by fear. Later on, she and five other people found themselves heading to a Bali nature park. They descended to the waterfalls to see them, then dove into the pools below. Although it wasn’t flawless, Natasha jumped from a 15-meter-high waterfall allowed her to dodge the rocks and land in the deep enough portion of the pool. She pulled herself out of the water feeling accomplished and grabbed a shiny pebble from the bottom of the pool. She believed that the metaphorical action she was attempting to take—becoming the person she knew she could be—was analogous to the actual act of jumping down the waterfall.
SEPARATING PROFESSION AND IDENTITY
While Natasha was listening to a podcast, the realization that people work for a third of their lives hits her. When you consider the amount of time you dedicate to your jobs, it’s not difficult to understand why some people may confuse their profession with their identity. She explained that the truth is that your jobs have a big impact on how you see yourselves, and it’s typical to feel like your jobs provide you with a feeling of meaning and self-worth.
She mentioned that it might be harmful to your general well-being to identify too strongly with your work, which is the problem. When it comes to your identity, if you put all of your eggs in one basket, you run the risk of losing your sense of yourselves when you encounter obstacles or difficulties at work. This could result in an identity crisis when you don’t know who you are or what you’re here for outside of work.
EARLY SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
She knew that many people now find it difficult to maintain mental wellness in today’s hectic and stressful society. Recognizing and controlling coping methods, negative thoughts, and feelings can be challenging because they might differ from person to person. The significance of recognizing and managing coping mechanisms and unfavorable emotions, as well as how doing so can enhance your general well-being. Engaging in coping strategies might help us better understand our emotions and thinking processes because they are indicators that something is wrong. She indicated two common coping mechanisms which are Avoidance and Anxiety. For instance, one might isolate themselves, refrain from texting friends and relatives, or divert their attention by binge-watching TV or scrolling through social media.
She mentioned that these coping strategies may offer some comfort, but they also run the risk of aggravating the problem. Recognizing when we are utilizing these coping methods is crucial, as is determining whether or not they are effective. Examining your thought and behavior patterns and observing the subtle shifts that take place is one method to do this. Stress compartmentalization is a frequent coping mechanism, but it’s important to separate it from concealing your feelings.
Furthermore, when you find yourself in a difficult circumstance, it might be difficult to look within. She advised that it’s important to pay attention when others are trying to communicate since they might detect changes that you can’t. Although it can be difficult to take criticism, occasionally hearing what other people are thinking can help you identify your coping methods and unfavorable thoughts and feelings.
Creating an action plan for addressing unfavorable thoughts and feelings as they manifest is also essential. This strategy may include engaging in physical activity, speaking with a friend, or getting expert assistance. When you face unfavorable emotions or feelings, having a plan can help you feel more in control and provide you with a direction to follow.
ASKING FOR HELP AND CREATING THE SUPPORT YOU NEED
For managing your mental health, especially when suffering from anxiety, Natasha offers some doable tips. She advised creating structures and strategies that make it simpler to ask for assistance when necessary. To establish guidelines that everyone can abide by, she stresses the value of having open discussions with close friends or family members. She advised recognizing particular behaviors or patterns that may indicate a deterioration in mental health and creating a strategy for dealing with those circumstances. The methods she recommended are:
- Having a “living will” – that specifies what steps friends or family members can take if they detect particular behaviors or tendencies. For instance, a friend might be able to support her by taking care of day-to-day responsibilities or scheduling treatment appointments if she is avoiding communication or isolating herself. In order to connect with close friends when she needed assistance and having trouble.
- She also advises adopting an emoji system. Friends can instantly understand when the person needs assistance, even if they are having difficulties finding the correct words, by knowing which precise emoji to use as a code.
WHEN YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM DOESN’T EXIST
Natasha emphasized seeking professional assistance. She recognized that not everyone is lucky enough to have a support system, and she particularly recommends counseling as a practical strategy for managing mental health.
She then discussed her own personal experience with therapy, acknowledging that it can be difficult to be open with a therapist and that it can take some time to find the proper fit. However, she underlined the value of counseling, especially during times of need. She describes a time when she was experiencing overwhelming emotions while doing the dishes and how, as a result, she was able to use her action plan and seek therapy. She also made the point that therapy is not only beneficial for those who are experiencing a crisis but can also be beneficial for anyone who wants to explore their emotions and thoughts in a secure and encouraging environment. She characterizes therapy as a setting where you may be authentic and let go of the pressure valve, resulting in a lighter feeling.
