Emotional burnout in optometry is a challenge many of us face, often without realising it. I’ve always been sensitive to emotions. Patients often remarked on how well I resonated with them and understood their concerns on a deeper level. This ability helped shape my professional image and identity. However, the added burden of taking on other people’s emotions, coupled with personal stress and trauma, led to burnout.
At the end of busy days, I felt like a zombie, unable to process my emotions. I would often stare blankly into space, neglecting my social interactions with those close to me. This experience made me realise the importance of regulating my empath trait. In 2021, an episode of “acute stress reaction” forced me out of work for a period. This was a harsh wake-up call, underscoring the need to manage my empathy to avoid emotional burnout in optometry.
Let’s look into the challenges empathic optometrists face and how we can navigate them to maintain our well-being and professional effectiveness.
What is an Empath?
So you may be asking, “what is an empath?” An empath is someone who has a heightened ability to sense and absorb the emotions and energies of others. This trait allows them to deeply understand and resonate with other people’s feelings. While it can enhance empathy and connection, it can also be overwhelming as empaths often feel others’ emotions as if they were their own. This can make them more susceptible to emotional burnout, especially in emotionally demanding professions like optometry.
This empath trait is often found in those wishing to pursue healthcare professions as their ability to feel the emotions of others drives them to follow careers that prioritise helping others. I will write this article from the perspective of what being an empath is like for me, but do appreciate there will be subtle differences between others that share this trait.
The Empath Optometrist: A Double-Edged Sword
Being an empath in optometry is both a gift and a challenge. On the positive side, sensing what’s troubling someone and feeling their concerns helps me get to the root of their problems. This ability allows me to find the cause of their visual issues and see their needs as a whole. Building rapport and making people feel at ease comes naturally to me.
However, being an empath also means that I feel the emotions of others intensely. If a patient is anxious, I feel their anxiety. If they’re scared, I feel their fear. If they’re angry, I feel their frustration. Even joy is something I absorb when they are happy and elated.
While most people might experience one or two of these emotions in a day, as an empath, I go through this emotional rollercoaster multiple times daily. Each new patient brings a different emotional state, making it difficult to regulate my own emotions.
This constant up and down can lead to emotional burnout. It can be exhausting to navigate these emotions all day. But recognising this challenge is the first step toward managing it effectively. Let’s see how patient emotions can impact you as an empath.
Impact of Patient Emotions on Optometrists
Patient emotions can significantly contribute to emotional burnout in optometry. Each patient brings a unique emotional state, and as an empath, navigating these feelings can be particularly challenging. Anger is especially hard for me to handle. Due to multiple childhood traumas, anger triggers complex emotions that are difficult to manage. It’s often hard to discern whether the anger I feel is my own or the patient’s, and figuring out its source can be exhausting.
I once had a patient who was a former serviceman suffering from PTSD. He was angry at and distrustful of healthcare professionals because he felt ignored by the staff at his GP surgery. He started off by saying “You medical folk are all one and the same!”. Initially, his aggression was intimidating. However, I sensed that what he needed most was someone to listen. Our conversation during his routine eye exam led to a referral back to his GP, where I relayed his concerns and needs. He left happier, knowing that I had listened and taken his issues seriously. He even emailed the practice to say the referral enabled him to have a longer appointment with his GP to discuss his needs and he was starting treatment for his PTSD. This experience highlighted the power of empathy in building trust and providing effective care.
However, these emotionally charged interactions can take a toll. Balancing empathy with professional boundaries is crucial to preventing emotional burnout in optometry. It’s important to recognise the emotional impact of these encounters and take steps to protect your well-being. So what are the signs of emotional burnout and how do you recognise them? We will now investigate this further.
Recognising Emotional Burnout in Optometry
Recognising the signs of emotional burnout in optometry is crucial. I go through phases of emotional burnout and find that working as a locum helps me manage this. When I sense burnout approaching, I book fewer days. This flexibility allows me to balance my workload based on my emotional state. This may not be the case for my employed colleagues, but management of other commitments, types of clinics and use of holiday/paid time-off can help factor this in.
One of the challenges is recognising burnout in myself. I can often spot it in others more easily. People I resonate with might become less engaged, look unhappy, and complain about everything. While their complaints might be valid, they often carry excessive negativity (I think the phrase I kept hearing during my burnouts was “you keep making mountains out of molehills”).
For me, burnout manifests as withdrawal and emotional irritability when my alone time is interrupted.
Some other common signs of emotional burnout include:
- Feeling exhausted, even after adequate rest.
- Reduced performance and productivity.
- Detachment from work and social interactions.
- Difficulties with relationships with friends, family and partners.
- Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues.
- Cynicism or a negative outlook.
Recognising these signs early can help you take steps to address them. Remember, emotional burnout in optometry is a serious issue, and acknowledging it is the first step toward managing it effectively. The next section will look at ways of preventing emotional burnout in optometry.
Preventing Emotional Burnout in Optometry
Preventing emotional burnout in optometry requires proactive self-care and effective strategies. One approach is maintaining hobbies outside of work. I used to enjoy storm chasing, which provided a stark contrast to my daily routine and allowed me to recharge. While family responsibilities mean I’ve had to give up storm chasing, finding other ways to enjoy my own company has been crucial.
Balancing alone time with family life is important. As an empath, having time alone helps me regulate my emotions and recharge. It’s essential to recognise that you deserve to have your own emotions and not just absorb those of others.
Here are some practical tips for preventing emotional burnout in optometry:
- Set Boundaries: Clearly define your work hours and stick to them. Avoid taking work home.
- Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that relax and rejuvenate you. Whether it’s reading, exercising, or spending time in nature, find what works for you.
- Limit Overcommitment: Learn to say no to additional responsibilities when you’re already stretched thin.
- Seek Support: Talk to colleagues, friends, or a therapist about your experiences and feelings.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help you stay grounded and manage stress effectively. I have written an article regarding mindfulness and navigating the strss in optometry, so please do check it out if you need tips!
By implementing these strategies, you can protect yourself from emotional burnout and maintain your well-being.
Overcoming Emotional Burnout: A Personal Journey
Overcoming emotional burnout in optometry is a journey that requires patience and self-awareness. For me, it has been about taking things one step at a time and realising that I deserve to have my own emotions, not just those of others.
Self-care has been pivotal in my journey. I focus on small victories, like ticking off tasks on my to-do list, which helps me feel accomplished. Alone time is essential for me to recharge and regulate my emotions. It’s important to acknowledge and address burnout, rather than pushing through it.
When I experienced my acute stress reaction in 2021, I had to step away from work for a while. This break was necessary for me to regroup and rethink how I manage my empathy. I learned to set boundaries and prioritise my well-being. It was a difficult but crucial step in overcoming my emotional burnout.
Building a support network of family and friends has also been invaluable. They help me recognise the signs of burnout and offer the positive emotions needed to balance the mixed feelings I encounter daily. Knowing my role inside and out allows me to focus more on patient care rather than being overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster.
Embracing self-care and seeking support have been key strategies in overcoming burnout. By taking these steps, I’ve been able to continue thriving in my profession.
Building Emotional Resilience in Optometry
Building emotional resilience is essential for preventing emotional burnout in optometry. Resilience allows you to bounce back from challenging situations and maintain your well-being despite the emotional demands of the profession. Here are some strategies that have helped me strengthen my resilience:
- Self-Awareness: Recognising my emotions and being mindful of them is crucial. Sometimes, I need someone else to help me identify what I’m feeling, but acknowledging these emotions is the first step.
- Switching Off: Finding ways to disconnect from work is important. While writing articles about optometry can be therapeutic, it’s essential to have activities that completely take my mind off work.
- Support Network: Having a strong network of family and friends who can provide positive emotions and balance out the mixed feelings I encounter is invaluable. They help me stay grounded and offer a different perspective when needed.
- Professional Mastery: Knowing my role inside and out helps me manage patient interactions more effectively. When the tasks of my job become second nature, I have more mental capacity to focus on the patient’s needs and emotions.
By focusing on these strategies, I’ve built a level of emotional resilience that helps me navigate the ups and downs of being an empath in optometry. Emotional resilience is not just about coping with stress but also about growing stronger through each experience.
Conclusion: Thriving in Optometry Without Burning Out
Emotional burnout in optometry is a real challenge, especially for empathic professionals. Recognising the signs and taking proactive steps to manage your emotional well-being is crucial. Remember that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster of patient interactions, but there are ways to cope and thrive.
Building emotional resilience, practicing self-care, and maintaining a strong support network are key strategies. By embracing these practices, you can navigate the emotional demands of your profession while maintaining your well-being.
I want the profession to push forward and be the best it can be. I want every optometrist, dispensing optician, and eye care professional to feel valued at work and to work happily and safely. If you ever need to discuss anything, feel free to reach out to me via Instagram or the contact page.
If you have found this post useful, or know a friend, colleague or peer that is showing signs of emotional burnout, please do share it with them. To be notified of the latest articles, please consider subscribing via the box below.
Further Support
Here are some useful resources for those struggling within their professional duties:
0800 870 8401
This helpline is for members and non-members of the Association of Optometrists at any stage of their career. I strongly urge anyone that just needs to talk to a peer (anonymously or via an alias accepted) to call this line.
College of Optometrist Wellbeing Resources
The College of Optometrists have a collection of useful resources for members to access regarding their mental health and wellbeing. Visit the link above for further details.
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