NHS stress/burn out worse as get older?

[Watermelonice]

Has anyone experienced this? What were your symptoms and do you have any useful information or advice?

I have been a clinician for nearly 30 years now in a band 7 patient facing role dealing with quite complex patients, many of which have harrowing backstories including trauma.

I have enjoyed my job and felt competent and confident.

The past year I have really struggled, with health problems which have affected my work and ability to cope. My confidence has massively suffered.

I got signed off while I had tests, but nothing has shown up. I felt dreadful for a few weeks after I was signed off but gradually got back to near normal and the symptoms eased but didn’t go completely, but I was able to do everything at home.

Ive gone back to work and feel just like I did when I got signed off. Could this be stress? Burn out? I don’t feel stressed until I get symptoms…head aches, dizziness, feeling odd, and then obviously I feel anxious and stressed because of this.

I should be able to manage fine, I’ve done the job for years, but I’m suddenly struggling. What can I do?

I should add, I feel like I empathise too much with the patients I’m seeing and struggle with their stories m which stay with me and upset me.

I used to be able to brush it off, now I feel like they’re relying on me for support and information and I feel useless.

I don't think it's necessarily the NHS or your job. Presumably you're early 50's , most women (and men!) feel the same after 30 years of working. Women in particular feel it because of hormones and menopause. Lethargy, anxiety, loss of confidence are all classic peri/menopause symptoms. I presume you're treating the symptoms of the menopause?

Yep, I feel same. I work with life limited children, and feel for the horrendous pain the parents are going through. My boss always tells me I should distance myself, but I find that hard. I work part time as the demands are so high that I couldn't sustain it full time, is that an option for you?

Thanks, yes started hrt 6 months ago but not much benefit

Thanks, yes already part time so feel I should be able to manage but it’s not easy

This sounds frustrating. I assume you've been properly checked for depleting background issues like thyroid, diabetes, vitamin B / D / iron deficiency?

Although it's true that resilience thins out as life goes on, it shouldn't be affecting you this badly. That said, I strongly advise against pushing through your fatigue, as this is how I ended up with permanent ME-CFS and you don't want that!

Mine kicked off, as it often does, with post-viral fatigue which I failed to respect. Is it possible you've had this? The virus doesn't even have to be that bad: did you have Covid, flu or "some virus" before you got so tired?

One other thing I haven't tried but is worth mentioning: getting testosterone included in your HRT. Unless you see a menopause specialist, it's only prescribed to women who've lost their libido so aren't satisfying their partner 😬 If your fatigue has trashed your sex drive, it should be easy to get a trial - otherwise, your professional role probably gives you access to a clued-in specialist.

In general terms, please build deliberate 'recovery' into your daily life. It could be yoga, a peaceful walk, reading in bed or whatever works for you. Log your sleep. Eat a wholesome diet. Avoid excess alcohol. Crossing my fingers for your return to robust health!

Sorry, missed the edit window. Would it be possible to sort out a therapist to whom you can offload the cares of your working day? This is a lot to carry alone, and I've long thought that people in health or social care should get this as standard. There aren't enough therapists for everyone, of course, but do you have access?

Yes I wondered about this too thx, yes I have had blood tests which apparently were ok.

Yes I could have written that myself. Used to be pretty chilled but now struggling but feel like there is no way out once you've worked your way up the salary band. Starting anything new would mean a pay cut which can't afford. It's tough. I wonder if as we get older we have just accumulated a build up of all the years of stress.