The term "psychological strain" refers to an emotional state that causes stress, tension, anxiety, and distress. It can be caused by external factors such as workload, deadlines, conflicts, and lack of social support, but also by internal ones such as perfectionism, self-criticism, and fear of failure. When it comes to the field of healthcare, one common source of psychological strain is the emotional intimacy imbalance between patients/clients and professionals. This imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little emotional closeness between them, resulting in feelings of guilt, shame, anger, sadness, and frustration. To manage this type of psychological strain, workers need to understand its causes and effects, develop coping strategies, practice self-care, seek professional help if needed, and maintain a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives. In this article, I will explore how workers can deal with psychological strain arising from emotional intimacy imbalances with clients.
Causes of Psychological Strain
One major cause of psychological strain for workers in the healthcare industry is the emotional intimacy imbalance between them and their clients. This may occur when workers become too emotionally attached to their patients/clients, leading to feelings of guilt, loneliness, and burnout. On the other hand, they may feel distant and detached from their patients/clients, which can lead to feelings of shame, regret, and resentment. Other causes of psychological strain include overwork, high patient/client expectations, and negative feedback.
Effects of Psychological Strain
Psychological strain has many adverse effects on workers' mental and physical health. It can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, and heart disease. It can also reduce job satisfaction, productivity, and overall quality of life. When left unaddressed, it can even lead to burnout, turnover, and malpractice.
Coping Strategies
Workers can adopt several coping strategies to manage psychological strain caused by emotional intimacy imbalances with clients. First, they should practice self-compassion and kindness towards themselves, acknowledging that they are not responsible for others' emotions or reactions. Second, they should set clear boundaries and limits with their clients, communicating what they can and cannot do without blame or judgment. Third, they should seek support from colleagues, friends, and family members who understand their work environment and share similar experiences. Fourth, they should engage in stress-reducing activities such as exercise, meditation, mindfulness, and hobbies outside of work.
They should prioritize their own well-being and take breaks when necessary, avoiding the temptation to work excessively or neglect their personal lives.
Professional Help
If workers feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with psychological strain alone, they may need professional help. They can seek counseling, therapy, or coaching services provided by their employer, a third party, or an independent provider. These professionals can provide support, guidance, and tools to manage their feelings effectively. They can also offer insight into their work patterns, behaviors, and relationships, helping them identify areas for improvement and change.
Psychological strain arising from emotional intimacy imbalances with clients is a common challenge faced by healthcare workers. To manage this type of psychological strain, they need to understand its causes and effects, develop coping strategies, practice self-care, seek professional help if needed, and maintain a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives. By doing so, they can protect their mental and physical health, enhance job satisfaction, and deliver high-quality care to their patients/clients.
How do workers manage psychological strain arising from emotional intimacy imbalances with clients?
The management of emotional intimacy imbalance between workers and their clients can be challenging for some individuals. This may create a situation where the worker becomes vulnerable and emotionally affected by the client's behavior. The result is that they become psychologically stressed due to the constant emotional drainage resulting from helping someone else. To manage this stressful situation, workers must develop coping mechanisms.