WHAT IS WORRY BURNOUT?
With so many devastating events happening in the world, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed
From the pandemic to war and natural disasters, it feels like everywhere we look, we’re seeing distressing news. While the world has certainly seen terrible things before, the sheer number of devastating events has put our coping skills to the test.
“We tend to have a finite number of resources to cope,” explains Vikki Knott, a clinical psychologist from the Australian College of Applied Psychology.
“Many of us are operating on reduced resources post-pandemic. With so many stressful and sad things happening, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.”
ARE WE BURNT OUT?
If you’re feeling tired, you’re definitely not alone. “There are generally two main forms of stress,” says Vikki. “These are acute stress, which comes from a one-off incident, as well as chronic stress, which is longer term and ongoing.”
Unfortunately, many of us are currently experiencing a cocktail of both these feelings.
“At the moment, we are exposed to both acute stressors, as well as chronic stress,” tells Vikki. “For many people, the stress has gone on for so long that it’s possible to develop a sense of burnout or learned helplessness, which is having a sense that nothing we do matters.”
Not all events have to affect us personally to have an impact. For instance, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the catastrophic eruption in Tonga hit a profound nerve for many Kiwis, including those with no connections to either country.
“We often have flashbulb memories associated with such events,” Vikki explains. “We can clearly remember where we were or who we were with when we first heard the news. We can feel empathy for the people affected and we may even question our own mortality.”
SEEKING SUPPORT
When most of us experience feelings like grief, shock or displacement, it’s normal to reach out to those around us for extra support. But when everyone else is also struggling, it can feel like they have very little strength left to give.
“I think it’s very possible for feelings of loneliness and not being supported to come up in such situations,” Vikki says. “If you do start to feel this way, reach out and seek professional support. Start by visiting your GP, who can refer you to further appropriate support.”
Remember the feelings you’re having are normal. “It’s hard to stay positive, especially when someone tells you to be positive,” Vikki adds. “It’s OK to acknowledge the sadness and grief – these are, of course, normal human emotions.”
If someone you know is struggling, Vikki says, “The best way to approach this situation is to validate their experience and loss. We often jump in and make recommendations for what the person should do. This can be unhelpful and lead to a sense of lack of support for those affected. Listen, empathise and ask if you can offer any specific practical support.”
For support from a trained counsellor, text or call 1737. In an emergency, always dial 111.