A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW
Living with a chronic illness requires significant work and effort, and doesn’t necessarily come with support. The burden of getting an accurate diagnosis, managing symptoms, and locating resources often falls on patients. The time and energy required for this can quickly extend beyond an individual’s limit.
SIGNS OF MEDICAL BURNOUT
Feeling defeated or hopeless
Canceling or avoiding appointments
Feeling drained after appointments
Increase in pain and fatigue
Difficulty with concentration
Not adhering to treatment plan
Unstable sense of identity
Isolation, depression, resentment, anger, irritability, bitterness, anxiety
CAUSES OF MEDICAL BURNOUT
Frequent appointments
Managing symptoms
Medical gaslighting and trauma
Uncertainty for the future
Medical bills and insurance
Medication changes and side effects
Fighting to be taken seriously
Overwhelming information
The emotional toll of a new diagnosis
TYPES OF BURNOUT
MENTAL BURNOUT
The mental burden of managing multiple specialists, treatments, understanding new diagnoses or testing, research, scheduling appointments, and remembering all of it while living with cognitive dysfunction or brain fog can lead to burnout, especially when this expands into physical and emotional burdens.
PHYSICAL BURNOUT
The physical demands associated with keeping up with medical care can be significant. Physical or occupational therapy, surgery and procedures, and even just driving and getting through an office visit can be a major stressor when you’re living with fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, migraines, pain, autonomic dysfunction, or other aspects of chronic illness.
EMOTIONAL BURNOUT
Confusion, frustration, fear, sadness, loneliness, resentment, and grief are just a few of the emotions that come with living with chronic illness. Changes in your condition are bound to trigger an emotional change as well. Your support system, care team, and access to resources are all factors the emotional weight of living with chronic illness, and even if all of those factors are stable and strong, the inconsistency or severity of symptoms cause emotional distress that will lead to burnout if not managed appropriately.
RELIEF + RECOVERY
Take a break I
f a week or two away from appointments is what you need and it’s safe to do so, reschedule and take a break.
Treat yourself
Let yourself enjoy the little things. Maybe it’s the overpriced coffee that your stomach can actually tolerate, or a trip to target just for fun, or fun hair colors that boost your confidence. A few dollars is worth your sanity.
Rest and relaxation
Take a nap. Watch movies all weekend. Engage in a hobby that you can do in bed. Plan rest time after appointments or events. Give yourself permission to sleep in, to go slow, and to relax.
Support
Lean into your support system when you’re feeling run down. If your support system is minimal, find ways to add to it, whether that’s therapy, support groups, friends, online forums, or a paid caregiver if needed.
Resources
Utilize your available resources. Find out what your insurance company offers, such as care coordination. Stop by a local food bank if money is tight. Apply for state benefits like Medicaid and food stamps. If you work, familiarize yourself with the benefits offered. Find what’s available and use it.
Take control of your care
If you have providers who aren’t taking you seriously or who aren’t working to find answers, find someone else to take over. Prepare for appointments and have a list of topics and questions so you make sure you cover everything you need to. Get a second opinion. Create a medical binder or folder to bring with you. Research. Learn all you can about your condition. Advocate for yourself or bring someone to appointments (facetime works too!) to help advocate for you. Take control of your medical care instead of letting it control you.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Explore how you respond to stress and how you currently handle burnout.
Pay attention to where you might need extra support or where you could reduce strain.
What does stress look like for me?
What drains my energy the most?
What helps me recover when I feel overwhelmed?
How do I currently cope with medical stress?
Where do I feel supported? Where do I feel unsupported?
What boundaries might help reduce burnout?
What changes could make managing my care feel more sustainable?