First, psychological trauma involves…trauma.
In other words, there has been a traumatic experience. Such experiences can lead to diagnosable conditions like PTSD. This diagnosis involves specific criterion that have been established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). The DSM-5 is the manual used for assessing and diagnosing mental disorders. Some considerations regarding trauma:
- Treating trauma involves the implementation of trauma-focused protocols such as Cognitive Processing Therapy or Accelerated Resolution Therapy.
- People experiencing PTSD tend to experience symptoms no matter where they work.
- The clinicians in the mental health community describe “Complex Trauma” as stemming from repeated traumatic events during childhood (Repeated sexual assault, etc.).
Second, burnout is not a clinical diagnosis and has a different cause
Among the more common contributors to burnout are bureaucracy, long hours, lack of resources, reduction in income, school debt, and diminished self-care. The medical practitioner may experience cynical or negative attitudes toward patients, emotional exhaustion, a feeling of decreased personal achievement, and lack of empathy for patients. (AMA)
- Although burnout experienced by medical professionals has been researched to identify contributing factors, it is not listed in the DSM- 5. It is not a diagnosable issue.
- In contrast to PTSD, burnout can be significantly improved by a change in work conditions.
- While burnout poses a significant challenge to many professionals, it requires subclinical help…usually coaching.
It is important to recognize that many practitioners may be experiencing both. In some cases, a practitioner may have become vulnerable to traumatization due to pre-existing burnout (and vice-versa). However, even in those cases each issue needs to be differentiated so that the best care can be provided.
If we confuse the two issues, we will be doing a great disservice to both groups – minimizing the experience of one, and pathologizing the other.
In my coaching practice, I have not had clients object to the phrase “burnout.” However, if medical professionals truly do not like that phrase, let us develop more appropriate labels that do not pathologize our practitioners.
The very best to you all.