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Signs of emotional exhaustion:
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Anhedonia: caring far less or feeling numb to things with which you would normally connect
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An increase in irritability or a shorter temper with others
- A reduction in work quality
- Distancing from family or close friends
- Estrangement from co-workers or work itself
- A lack of attention and concentration
- An increase in alcohol or other drug use
Click here to see more signs of emotional exhaustion.
What happens in the long-term when someone puts off coping with trauma they have experienced on the job?
Glickstein: A person will experience intrusive thoughts spanning memories triggered by an encountered connection to feeling as if they re-live the experience once again and lose time.
Someone may develop psychological or physiological arousal:
- Jumpiness when startled by things
- Reactive to people, places or things that represent the traumatic experience
- An increase in anger outbursts or reduced control of impulsivity
Read on for additional signs to watch.
What advice do you have for journalists in this current moment?
Glickstein: Recognize that there are periods during which we will feel out of control. This is natural. Do things to put emotional gas in the tank, so to speak, by doing the things in which journalists find joy — or supporting others in ways that bring fulfillment. Part of the second thing is also to contribute, in whatever way desired, to make their world a better place at whatever way they find helpful.
Committing journalism is one way for a purpose-driven person to do that. Acting in smaller ways within one’s family, friend group, and immediate community is another. A key aspect here is to remain connected despite the urge to disconnect or isolate. That’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy that tricks a person into continued disconnection and isolation because it feels emotionally safer.
Journalists are naturally curious people. By listening to their curiosity we have the urge to connect with others and continue producing hormones like oxytocin and endorphins causing continued connection.
How can a journalist ask for the mental health support that they need?
Glickstein: If you’re employed by a larger organization, EAP – Employee Assistance Program. This is a serious program through which the employer is compelled to help and make time during the workday to ensure the employee is cared for. Usually, EAP offers between four and six sessions free of charge to the employee. That’s typically enough to make sense of a critical incident, but you might decide to continue in psychotherapy. It could be with that therapist if they’re taking private practice clients, or you may be given several options to find a new therapist after the EAP completes. …
Managers in some newsrooms can sometimes revert to “old-school,” suck-it-up-and-deal-with-it toughness when it comes to covering difficult topics. But those approaches are changing. You know the editors or managers you can trust in your organization. Use those managers if you need to disclose psychological difficulty and need for EAP. There may be a time when you need to disclose that you need to reduce or avoid covering certain stories for a short time while you work on it in therapy.
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