How Stress Affects Respiratory Therapist Life - Essay Example

Running head: How stress affects respiratory therapist (RT) life How stress affects respiratory therapist (RT) life Introduction There are different kinds of treatment offered by health professionals, for instance, therapy. On the other hand, a therapist is a person skilled in a specific therapeutic treatment. There are different types of therapies and therefore, therapeutic professionals, for instance, respiratory therapist. Basically, a respiratory therapist specializes in treatment, assessment and education of patients with lung diseases. Respiratory therapists like other professionals are faced with different work related stress. These stresses have different effects on performance of the therapists’ lives depending on nature of each. This paper discusses effects of stress on respiratory therapists on performing their duties. Common stressors in the RT profession Work related stresses are common in most careers. However, stresses experienced by RT professionals not only affect their work, but also their life. This is because there are certain work stresses that have great impact on the RT professionals, for instance, working conditions. RT professionals always have to cope with working condition stress. This is because the professionals work on long hours per day. Furthermore, an RT professional may be required to work in more than one facility hence having to adjust to the strict working schedule. Moreover, RT professionals rarely have rests, this is because it entails emergency in most cases especially those attending to patients in the emergency or intensive care unit. They also have to attend to high number of patients, for example between 20 to 30 per day (Fox and Cooper, 2011, p 58). Secondly, RT professionals are faced with future consideration stress. All employees work with an aim of advancing and developing. However, an RT professional requires several educational qualifications for advancement in future. Third, stress is caused to RT professionals due to time pressures and high demanding nature of the profession. The patients’ expectations are high, but time is limited when attending to emergency patients. This causes stress to the RT professionals. Moreover, stress is caused by interpersonal conflicts in the work place. This arises between the RT professionals and the doctors. In most cases, doctors are not keen on taking instructions given by the RT professionals and this causes conflict between them. This results to stress for the RT professionals because they feel disregarded in the hospital. Additionally, RT professionals are at times stressed due to underutilization of abilities. The abilities of the RT professionals are underutilized because their efforts are not frequently recognized. Lastly, stress is caused by lack of encouragement as RT employees or professionals lack encouragement from the relevant people because their works are not recognized (Fox and Cooper, 2011, p 63). Signs and symptoms of stress Stress at the work place is common in most careers; RT profession inclusive. There are several symptoms that portray stress among RT professionals. However, different stress cause has different symptom. Symptoms and signs of stress are physical and psychological, but both show signs of stress. There are several physical symptoms that may occur due to stress at the work place, they include; headache, fatigue, muscular pain and aches, stomach problems, eating disorders, sleep disturbances and chronic mild illness. These symptoms show different signs, for instance; fatigue is organ or muscle reduction due to prolonged activity. It may also be viewed as extreme tiredness that RT professionals face due to mental exertion. Headache is continuous head pain or a source of trouble or worry. Eating disorder may be characterized with behavioral disorder such as avoiding consumption or consuming excessively. Chronic Mild illness is an illness that lasts longer and is not curable, but can be treated through management of the situation. Sleep disturbance is sleep disorder hence interferes with emotional, normal physical and mental functioning (Elkin, 1999, p 90). Good and bad strategies of coping with stress Identifying the source of the stress Effective management or coping with stress requires adequate understanding of the source of the stress. This allows for adequate coping or management of the stress. Sources of stress are not always obvious; therefore, the source of the stress has to be identified so as to effectively cope with the situation and avoid effects of the source. A person may be well aware of what makes him or her constantly worried (Seaward, 2011, p 94). Look at how you currently deal with stress There are several ways that people use to manage or deal with stress. To effectively cope with stress a person has top evaluate how he or she currently cope with stress at the work place. This may enable him or her to identify the ways that are effective and those that have less effect. It may also allow an individual to adopt an effective strategy of dealing or coping with stress and avoid effects of stress. There are several ways that people cope with stress. However, these strategies may not be healthy because there are certain ways through which people deal with stress, but leads to health effects. There are several bad ways of dealing with stress, for instance, smoking, too much drinking, under eating or overeating, too much sleeping, using drugs or pills, procrastinating, releasing stress on others through violence, overworking to avoid contact with people that may lead to further stress, and withdrawing from activities, family and friends among others (Kavitha, 2009, p 58). Basically, the unhealthy ways of coping with stress may not assist in dealing with the problem, but instead may just intensify it. Therefore, individuals ought to practice healthy ways of dealing or coping with stress. This is because the unhealthy ways does not contribute to the physical and emotional health. There are several good ways of dealing with stress, but they require change and adaptation to the respective changes. There are several recommendations that have been made on how to deal with stress (Kavitha, 2009, p 74). Personal coping strategies Avoid unnecessary stress Stress can be avoided but not all. This is because there are certain stresses that cannot be avoided. Furthermore, it is not healthy to avoid problem that require attention or need to be addressed. There are several strategies of avoiding unnecessary stress, they include; learning how to say “no” by knowing your limits and sticking by them. This can be achieved by refusing added responsibilities that may not be effectively responded to. Secondly, avoiding people who stress one out is important. People that frequently cause stress in life ought to be avoided, reducing time spent with them or ending close ties with them. Taking control of the environment, avoiding hot-button topics and paring down the to-do list is also another tip (Seaward, 2011, p 102). Altering the situation If avoiding stress may be difficult, then it is advisable to alter stress. It is important to figure out what to do to change things or factors to avoid future repetition. This can be achieved by changing communication and operation ways in daily life. There are several actions that may be taken to alter stress. They include; effective management of time, willingness to compromise, expressing feelings and avoiding bottling of feelings and being more assertive (Kavitha, 2009, p 81). Adapting to the stressor Changing the stressor may be difficult; however, it is advisable to change oneself. This may be done by adapting to stressful situations ad regaining sense of control through attitude and expectations change. There are several actions that can be taken to adapt to stressors. They include; reframing problems, looking at the bigger picture, adjusting of standards, and positively focusing (Aldwin, 2007, p 53). Accepting things that you can’t change There are certain sources of stress that are unavoidable because they are part of daily life. In cases where causes cannot be avoided, it is advisable to accept situations as they are. Accepting these facts may be difficult, but it’s the best strategy to effectively coping with them. There are several actions that can be taken to accept things that can’t be changed. They include; looking for upside, sharing feelings, avoiding controlling of the uncontrollable and learning how to forgive (Kavitha, 2009, p 96). Creating relaxation and fun time Stress can be controlled by taking charge and positive attitude. However, it can also be controlled by creating fun and relation time. This increases ability of handling stressors. There are several actions that can be taken to ensure creation of fun and relaxation time. They include; keeping sense of humor, connecting with others, setting aside relaxation time and frequently participate in things you enjoy daily (Seaward, 2011, p 105). Adopting a healthy lifestyle Resistance to stress may be increased by strengthening physical health. There are several actions that can be taken to strengthen physical health. They include; getting enough sleep, reducing sugar and sleep, eating a healthy diet, regular exercising, and avoiding drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. This increases resistance to stress (Aldwin, 2007, p 68). Conclusion RT like any other profession has several stressors. However, there are good and bad strategies that can be used to control users. Furthermore, there are personal strategies that can be used. There strategies are effective, but they require change and adoption. References Aldwin, C. (2007). Stress, coping and development: an integrative perspective. Chicago: Guilford Press. Elkin, A. (1999). Stress management for dummies. London: John Wiley & Sons. Fox, J and Cooper, C. (2011). Handbook of stress in the occupations. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing. Kavitha, G. (2009). Occupational stress and coping strategies. London: Discovery Publishing House. Seaward, B. (2011). Managing stress: principles and strategies for health and well-being. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Read More