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Why is being a psychiatrist so mentally draining?
Why is being a psychiatrist so mentally draining? do you still have time for yourself and your family? I plan on majoring in psych and am afraid of this.
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Karen’s Answer
Hello Nataliya, my son will be off to college to study psychology soon. This is a subject that I have been looking into and I'm happy to share what I have found so far. Helping clients can cause stress, anxiety and can drain you emotionally. After all, people who go see psychologists need help with mental health issues. Luckily, you will learn strategies on how to cope with these as you go through college. Most likely, you will also learn how to separate your work and your home-life in order to stay health and happy (this is something that needs to be true for any job by the way!). In my experience, people make time for the things that are important to them. If staying healthy and family are important to you, I'm sure you will find a way to make the time. Lastly, many psychologists join support groups where they support each other, share resources and learn ways to stay healthy.
Thanks for wanting to help others! I wish you the best in your studies and your future endeavors.
Karen
Thanks for wanting to help others! I wish you the best in your studies and your future endeavors.
Karen
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Amalya’s Answer
Psychiatry is a very challenging profession. It deals with human inner world which is at least not an easy task.
Human brain has a quite complex structure. And what refers to psychiatrical issues, the situation becomes much more challenging.
Nevertheless, if you feel that you really have the required personality traits, mental and emotional resilience, amazing patience and abilities to empathize others, then becoming a psychiatrist may be a good career choice for you.
Human brain has a quite complex structure. And what refers to psychiatrical issues, the situation becomes much more challenging.
Nevertheless, if you feel that you really have the required personality traits, mental and emotional resilience, amazing patience and abilities to empathize others, then becoming a psychiatrist may be a good career choice for you.
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lillie’s Answer
Yes being a psychiatrist, psychologist, or really anything that deals with the public (like retail jobs) will drain you. Being a therapist can be extremely taxing however with the right tools and coping skills, you can totally balance everything. The one thing that I would recommend is making sure you're taking enough time for yourself, that is the best way to combat those feelings. Also, most therapists have their own therapists which is helpful to get things off of their chests as well.
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Marika Elena’s Answer
Hi Nataliya! I am not a mental health clinician or psychiatric professional, but my spouse is, so I can answer your question from the other side of things. It's all about how you take care of yourself and how you plan within your own family. Being a mental health professional is such an amazing and important profession to take on, and because of that you have to make sure you're taking care of yourself as much as you're taking care of your patients. If you enter your studies with the mindful intention of carving out self care time, it will be easier to do this as a part of your work and family life balance as well. Once you're situated within your career and family, make sure you're actively communicating with your partner or spouse about difficult (and good!) days, being open about when you need support, and making a plan for spending time together that helps your family reconnect and recharge together. It's all about balance and making sure you're listening to your own needs and restrictions.
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Nadia’s Answer
One of the most essential pieces of advice I've got about being any helping professional is to take care of yourself first because. So, in other words, remember to maintain your inner resources on the right level.
Of course, it can mean different things to everyone, but mostly, it's about finding time to relax, exercise, eat healthily, spend time with your closest ones, sleep enough, and have other outside-of-work hobbies. Understanding your personal priorities and listening to your body is very leads to finding the motivation to get more time for particular things.
Additionally, mental health professionals can seek external help too. It can be regular supervision, psychological consultations, coaching, and/or psychotherapy.
Of course, it can mean different things to everyone, but mostly, it's about finding time to relax, exercise, eat healthily, spend time with your closest ones, sleep enough, and have other outside-of-work hobbies. Understanding your personal priorities and listening to your body is very leads to finding the motivation to get more time for particular things.
Additionally, mental health professionals can seek external help too. It can be regular supervision, psychological consultations, coaching, and/or psychotherapy.
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Ana Carina’s Answer
Hi Nataliya,
Hope all is well.
Not only being a psychiatrist is exhausting, many of the professions are.
It is better to be afraid and try than not to do things out of fear and think, what would have happened if...
Any career at the beginning can be very demanding because you have to gain experience and that can only be achieved by working, I studied International Business and I can tell you that it is such a demanding career, where sometimes I have worked long hours and sometimes weekends.
Once you have expertise, you will be able to have a balance, if you can do it from the beginning, excellent, but achievements and successes are achieved based on small or large efforts.
More and more psychiatrists are needed in the world, mental health is something very important if you are an organized person, I think you should not be afraid. It's just a matter of finding the best rhythm, there are people who give consultations from morning until afternoon, others who only work in the afternoon, and some don't work on weekends, it's something very normal, but being a recognized psychiatrist requires a lot effort like any other degree.
Regards.
Hope all is well.
Not only being a psychiatrist is exhausting, many of the professions are.
It is better to be afraid and try than not to do things out of fear and think, what would have happened if...
Any career at the beginning can be very demanding because you have to gain experience and that can only be achieved by working, I studied International Business and I can tell you that it is such a demanding career, where sometimes I have worked long hours and sometimes weekends.
Once you have expertise, you will be able to have a balance, if you can do it from the beginning, excellent, but achievements and successes are achieved based on small or large efforts.
More and more psychiatrists are needed in the world, mental health is something very important if you are an organized person, I think you should not be afraid. It's just a matter of finding the best rhythm, there are people who give consultations from morning until afternoon, others who only work in the afternoon, and some don't work on weekends, it's something very normal, but being a recognized psychiatrist requires a lot effort like any other degree.
Regards.
Judith-Ann Anderson
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at AndeersonCounselingTexas( ACT)
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Judith-Ann’s Answer
Hi Nataliya, I am not a psychiatrist, but I am a mental health counselor and I work with issues of depression, anxiety, grief, stress, parenting, couples, and trauma issues. I can tell you from my perspective, working with the clients is very rewarding. I feel my career is a calling for me and I am glad to be a Licensed Professional Counselor. There are a few clients that can bring me stress if they tend to not engage in their process. I realize when I am working too hard, I need to step back and let them lead-do the work. It is overall rewarding when you can walk the journey of healing with each individual client. Something that has relieved me from the business stress is to partner with a billing company who takes care of all billing. They deal with the stress of dealing with the insurance companies and copays from the clients. It's great, I never have to talk finances with the client at all.
As for as having time for my family and for myself, I can schedule my day anyway I wish. I can schedule me time and family time! Of course, I have my own private practice and have the liberty of my own schedule. Working for an institution would have it's own stresses no matter your occupation.
I wish you well and hope you enjoy your career path whatever direction you choose.
As for as having time for my family and for myself, I can schedule my day anyway I wish. I can schedule me time and family time! Of course, I have my own private practice and have the liberty of my own schedule. Working for an institution would have it's own stresses no matter your occupation.
I wish you well and hope you enjoy your career path whatever direction you choose.