"You OK?” I get that a lot after friends read some of my columns on certain veterinary topics du jour—primarily those that touch on mental health, like my last two. One friend used the B-word on me (as in “burnout”), wondering if I might be approaching a crash-and-burn similar to one I went through 15 years ago. Sure, it is comforting to know your friends will always have your back, but I will not deny there is something uniquely humbling to suspect you might be slipping in others’ estimation of your personal strength and resilience. It is what we all might naturally feel when we ask for help and explains why so many choose to go it alone even when it might be life-saving to cling to friends and families before going under. Who wants to feel exposed and weak in others’ eyes? After all, we often blame the victims in cases where burnt-out colleagues take their own lives. “Why didn’t they ‘reach out’? We would have been there for them.” Be honest: Would you have judged them for it? The truth is you probably would have. Especially if they had already succumbed to drug and alcohol dependency. Human nature can be cruel, even if it’s not always self-aware enough to admit it. That is why it’s so important to discuss the topic. We should all know what to look for—as much in ourselves as in others—so we can address it before the direct, end-stage consequences ensue. With that in mind, here is a list of signs to look for: 1) Job-hating Do you find yourself dreading your workday? Feel like crying in the bathroom between appointments or white-knuckling the steering wheel while on your way to work? Wonder why you ever went into this profession in the first place? Feeling trapped or disillusioned by it all? Welcome to the single most obvious precursor to burnout. 2) Feeling out of control while at work Do you have more doubts about your ability to do a good job? Are you procrastinating, then finding you are even less likely to solve what used to be manageable problems? Maybe you are thinking you are a terrible veterinarian or suffering impostor syndrome. Are you overly anxious about losing your job or suddenly thinking about quitting the practice or dropping out of the profession altogether? 3) Distancing and isolation Are you no longer as close to others as you once were? Out of touch with your long-distance network? No longer seeking out friends to do things with over the weekend? Finding it more fun to play video games, watch sports, or follow para-social “friends” on YouTube? It is something to watch out for. 4) Trouble on the home front Does your spouse or partner seem further away than ever? Is the relationship no longer as satisfying? This can be normal for any relationship, of course. As anyone in a long-term relationship knows, they naturally have their ups and downs. Our degree of intimacy can go up one year and down the next, but if you are slipping into avoidance mode and starting to think you made the wrong choice, it might not be the relationship’s fault; it might just be your job’s influence talking. 5) Changes in habits and hobbies Is there something you used to do often you have let slip by the wayside? Do you find it difficult to take it up again? Are you finding less excitement in the things that used to pique your interest or stimulate your curiosity? Indifference and dispassion are huge warning signs of depression and burnout. 6) Negativity Some among us are always naturally negative in that sarcastic way we are wont to be in this quirky culture of ours. What to look for is a newfound cloud of doom and gloom that follows us around no matter what we do. We will have sparks of joy and moments of brief elation like anyone else, but the majority of the time we will feel the presence of an unshakable blanket of pessimism following us around throughout the day. 7) Anxiety and irritability Some may not display outright negativity, finding it unseemly to do so, but they may display uncharacteristic irritability in instances they had once blithely ignored. Naturally cranky, moody, tetchy people exist, but those who do not typically tend toward this mindset should be closely observed for other signs of burnout. 8) Sleep behavior alterations Are you having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Do you wake up with a sense of foreboding or feel like the sky is falling? Do you feel sluggish or energy-deprived at work afterward? We all go through it sometimes, but if you find yourself feeling chronically sleep-deprived, your chances of experiencing negative emotions towards your job are higher, so consider burnout or check with your doctor if this persists. 9) Drinking and drugging Even if it is social, casual drinking and drugging can be troublesome behaviors, more so if they are ramping up quickly or arere new for you. Daily or weekend binge-drinking is an even more obvious sign of burnout, but in this case, it could be you are just a garden-variety alcoholic or drug addict. (Yes, it is possible to be an addict or alcoholic without experiencing burnout, especially in the early stages of substance abuse disorders.) I have listed resources on this (See: “Lifelines”). 10) Descent into electronic gadget addiction Finding solace at the bottom of a desperately long doomscroll session can be a real problem. If you are not sure it is problematic, check your weekly usage and compare it to last year’s for signs your attention to electronic diversion is amping up in ways that might signal an adverse mental health state. 11) Eating behavior changes Are you eating more or less? Feeling like nothing is more interesting than a cheeseburger but still getting less enjoyment from it than you once did? Finding you do not care about cooking a great meal or looking forward to food for more than sustenance? It could be a sign. 12) Gastrointestinal illness issues As most of us already know, GI signs such as nausea, indigestion, and reflux are common signs of anxiety disorders. Do not ignore this as a possible warning sign in yourself or in others. Lifelines Here are some resources to consider if you or someone you know is experiencing burnout. Whether you elect to ask for help or take on the task of helping others, please familiarize yourself with the subject by seeking counsel in one or more of these services and organizations (these are just a handful but so many others are out there): AVMA: Need a list of resources? There are a bunch listed here. VIN: The Veterinary Information Network is a fantastic resource for veterinarians who are looking for a list of resources or want to talk about burnout. They also offer a dedicated, confidential group for veterinarians with substance abuse disorders. Not One More Vet on Facebook: While not exactly confidential, you will be among colleagues. This is a way to easily make connections among people you can trust. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Confidential and staffed 24/7. Warmlines: A state-by-state 24/7 resource for anyone who thinks they might need help. One final note Before we take aim at others’ perceived failings, we should all understand burnout could happen to any one of us under the right circumstances. Judge those who suffer at your personal moral peril and you may well risk your own future well-being by doing so. Whatever you do, be kind and generous to yourself and your colleagues—lives are truly on the line. Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA, runs a small animal practice in Miami, Fla., and is available at drpattykhuly.com. Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Veterinary Practice News.
