Headsets911 Recognizing Burnout

What is Stress? An adaptive response to a situation that is perceived as challenging or threatening to the person’s well-being

What is Burnout? Burnout is physical, emotional or spiritual exhaustion brought about by sustained stress without adequate adjustment. Burnout is otherwise know as exhaustion or when the bodily reserves used in the stress response have been used up.

Who Suffers From Burnout Anyone can suffer from burnout. It is not a sign of weakness, mental illness or inability to cope with life. Burnout can be treated, overcome, and prevented in the future.

A Healthy Stress Pattern Uh Oh! Excited Normal Ah! Relaxed

A Unhealthy Stress Pattern Excited Uh Oh! Uh Oh! Breakdown Uh Oh! Relaxed

Telecommunicator Stress Compared to Other Occupations Accountant Artist Auto Mechanic Forester Hospital manager Physician (GP) Psychologist School principal Police officer Police Dispatcher Air Traffic Controller Waiter/waitress Medium-Stress Occupations High-Stress Occupations Low-Stress Occupations

The Stress Response The Clue to Burnout

Three Stages Initial Response - Alert Stage Resistance Stage Exhaustion Stage

The G.A.S. in Action Stage 1 Alarm Reaction Stage 2 Resistance Stage 3 Exhaustion This is where the curve Peaks if adaptation Occurs normal Notice how the curve first dips before ascending upward?

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) A Three-Stage physiological response to stress. Sometimes also known as the “Fight or Flight” response. Occurs several times a day. Occurs every time a stressor is introduced into our environment.

The GAS – Stage One – ALERT Digestion is slowed Sugar is released Adrenaline is secreted Blood thickens Respiration increases Heart rate increases Blood pressure increases Muscles tense Blood shifts away from the skin

Some of The Biological Reactions to Stress The brain signals the release of adrenaline, dopamine, and norepinephrine, as well as the primary stress hormone coritisol. Your heart rate and blood pressure elevate and breathing becomes rapid and shallow. This restricts oxygen to the brain which increases the tension and stress. The spleen pumps more red blood and white blood cells into your bloodstream to enable increased transportation of oxygen to the body. The immune system is suppressed as white blood cells are transported to parts of the body that may be injured.

The GAS – Stage Two - RESISTANCE Not as intense as the Alarm Stage, but bodily levels of hormonal secretion are still above normal Occurs during the stress response and if stressor is removed helps return the body to normal levels.

The GAS – Stage 3 - EXHAUSTION Resistance all but ceased Bodily systems have been depleted due to prolonged resistance Can bring about the threat of onset of “diseases of adaptation”

Role-Related Stressors Job Burnout Process Interpersonal and Role-Related Stressors Emotional Exhaustion Physiological, psychological, and behavioral consequences Depersonalization Reduced Personal Accomplishment

Stressors and Stress Outcomes Work Stressors Physical environment Role-related Interpersonal Organizational Individual Differences Consequences of Stress Physiological Behavioral Psychological Stress Nonwork Stressors

Symptoms of Burnout Symptoms are grouped into three categories: Physiological Cognitive/psychological Behavioral

Physiological Symptoms Loss of appetite/gain of appetite Weight loss/weight gain Trembling Fatigue Insomnia Anger Depression Malaise

Physiological Consequences Colds, headaches, and situations caused by muscle contractions may occur. Cardiovascular disease and hypertension may result. Unexplained weight gain or loss.

Psychological Consequences Emotional exhaustion - also called compassion fatigue, it represents the first stage of burnout and plays a central role in the burnout process. Depersonalization - follows emotional exhaustion and is identified by the treatment of others as objects rather than people. Reduced personal accomplishment - the final component of job burnout which refers to the decline in one's feelings of competence and success.

Behavioral Consequences When stress becomes distress, job performance falls and workplace accidents are more common. High stress levels impair the ability to remember information, make effective decisions, and take appropriate action. Overstressed employees tend to have higher levels of absenteeism.

Signs of Excessive Stress Confusion in thinking Difficulty making decisions Increased heart rate Rapid breathing Depression Change in eating habits Feeling overwhelmed

More Signs of Excessive Stress Headache Sleep disturbances Difficulty in concentrating Short temper Upset stomach Job dissatisfaction

What to Do? Know Yourself Know your limitations Gage your reactions, learn to take each day one step at a time Become a “Stress Expert”, know about Stress and how it affects your mind and body. Don’t do nothing, if you think you are getting burned out and have the symptoms speak to someone about it!

We are here to help! Headsets911 is the ONLY Dispatcher Specific Stress Management Company. We know about Dispatcher stress and how to help you cope with it. We have a trained and competent network of professionals to help you. Contact us by email with any questions you may have. Again, the worst action is NO action. If you are suffering from burnout, you are not alone. There is hope, there is help!