We often focus on the client's needs when discussing addiction or mental health treatment. However, professionals need help too. It is by no means a client's responsibility to worry about the needs of their therapist. That said, as a society, the conversation around these topics needs to change in a way that encourages mental health professionals to seek mental health treatment in addition to providing it. After all, struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) or other mental illnesses can impact a professional's ability to help their clients. Therefore, the societal narrative regarding the mental health of mental health professionals must change so that society can continue seeking mental health treatment.
We don't need an underlying scientific theory to explain why mental health professionals sometimes need mental health care. The simple answer is that they are human. Many often forget to acknowledge the personhood of the professional who helps them. That includes failure to recognize doctors, teachers, and therapists as fellow human beings struggling with their problems—problems that may even be similar to the client's problems.
There are more concerning circumstances where mental health professionals develop an addiction or mental health disorder. If untreated, a professional's struggle with addiction may lead them to temporarily shut down their practice or take time off of work to seek treatment. This can leave their clients vulnerable.
These circumstances do not only pertain to therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals. Doctors, lawyers, and others in highly demanding careers are at risk of developing mental illnesses. These developments can impact their careers and families and completely change the landscape of their lives.
Working professionals in high-stress careers should always prioritize their mental health. If they experience mental illness, they should consider a professional treatment program today. Aside from accepting that professionals sometimes need professional help, it is also crucial to question why individuals in demanding careers are at risk for mental illness.
Individuals in highly demanding careers are at an increased risk of developing an addiction or another mental disorder. Work itself can become an addiction. According to a study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, careers with high demands are "strongly associated with the risk of work addiction." Addiction, whether to substances or behaviors, is a typical response to trauma or other stressful life events. Work addiction may develop to avoid other stressors in a professional's life, but what are the dangers of the work stress they endure?
Stress is a risk factor in the development of addiction or relapse for those in recovery. Chronic stress can lead to substance use and make individuals more susceptible to developing an addiction. Certain professions are especially susceptible to creating chronic stress. The inability to handle stress can be a significant factor in the degradation of people in these professions' mental health.
Aside from the risk of addiction, chronic stress can have many other adverse effects, such as the following:
Individuals have natural stress responses. However, chronic stress puts the body in a constant state of fight-or-flight. That state leads to increased exposure to stress hormones, such as cortisol, which wreaks havoc on all these different areas of the brain and body.
Mental health professionals experience occupational hazards that put them at risk for chronic stress and other related complications.
Many therapists experience secondary or vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma is when a person working or volunteering in specific fields—typically victim services, medical services, or similar professions—experience challenges because of continuous exposure to victims of trauma and violence. Therapists, especially those helping clients through trauma or violence, can be at risk for vicarious trauma and must learn to cope.
Burnout is another danger among mental health professionals. Much like stress, burnout can cause several other conditions to develop. Professionals may be hesitant to seek treatment for themselves out of fear that this makes them seem incompetent or a need to feel like they have it all together for their clients. However, being proactive helps avoid the chances of experiencing burnout and is, therefore, a benefit to clients.
Lastly, treating clients may ultimately lead a mental health professional to a place of cynicism or desolation. It may not always be easy diving into the deepest and darkest places of others day in and day out. Yet, remaining positive and hopeful can be a tall order and take a toll on these professionals' mental health.
Mental health professionals looking to prevent the development of addiction, mental illness, or other chronic conditions should consider therapy for themselves. Even as a professional, an outside opinion and perspective are sometimes invaluable. Seek treatment if you are a professional struggling with addiction or mental illness. Reach out to NorthStar Transitions to learn about your treatment options today.
The conversation around mental health has become much less taboo in the past few decades. People nowadays are more open about discussing mental health and the importance of destigmatizing therapy or treatment. Now more than ever, people feel more comfortable seeking treatment for mental illness. But what about mental health professionals? Society so often forgets that mental health professionals, just like anyone, struggle with things. With increased exposure to secondary trauma and chronic work stress, seeking treatment among therapists, counselors, and others should be a priority. If you are a mental health professional and need professional help, know you are not alone. Consider treatment and call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 for more information today.
