Burnout and the Law Enforcement Professional
By Peter J. Killeen, Ed.D.
Burnout in the law enforcement profession is at an all-time high. The primary reason for this upsurge in this phenomenon relates to how the public perceives the law enforcement professional today.
So, what is “Burnout”?
Burnout is characterized by:
Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
Increased mental distance from one’s job, feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
Reduced professional efficacy
When a person experiences burnout, there is often a feeling of hopelessness. If left untreated, this can be problematic for the officer. Burnout can affect not only your work but also your relationships and your health. Know what burnout is and its symptoms so that you can spot them quickly and try to intervene.
Burnout is the effect of chronic, long-term stress. This stress results in the inability to function well at work or in your personal life. Most people suffer from physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and the feeling that they can no longer achieve. Even if you love your job, you can still be at risk for burnout. A word of caution: Be aware that working excessive overtime can easily cause an individual to be impacted by burnout.
Understanding the symptoms of burnout lets you take care of yourself before things get worse. Daily tasks, such as getting exercise and fresh air and doing something outside of work you enjoy, can help prevent burnout. For others, taking leave or going on vacation can help. The best practice is to stop burnout before it starts.
Here are a few primary symptoms of “Burnout”:
You get sick more often. From colds to heart disease, your body wears down under constant stress.
Inability to sleep. Stress leads to insomnia in many people.
Physical fatigue. You feel wiped out at the end of your work week, sometimes even before.
Mental fatigue. Constant stress leads to forgetfulness and the inability to concentrate. You may find that making decisions is difficult.
Irritability. You may feel irritable at work or in your personal life. Little things that used not to bother you begin grating on your nerves.
Feeling apathetic. You’re heading toward burnout if your attitude is “What’s the point?” You may feel hopeless about your career, which can spill over into your personal life.
You don’t feel enjoyment at work.
Negativity. Chronic stress leads to seeing the glass half empty. Feeling negative affects everyone around you, at work and home.
Anxiety. Constant worry is a classic symptom of burnout. It also produces a steady stream of stress hormones that can be hard on the body.
Depression. Prolonged stress leads to feeling sad, hopeless, and worthless. You may start to isolate from others, even people you love.
If you need help dealing with burnout's effects, contact me, your PBA Stress Counselor. The sooner you address your symptoms of Burnout, the quicker your recovery will be.
