Protecting the Rescue Worker Chery F. Kendrick, DVM, MPVM, MLT, CFS Kendrick Technical Services, LLC © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Taking Care of YOU • You Cannot be an effective rescue worker Unless you first and foremost provide for your own needs • Physical = rest, hydration, food • Psychological = rest, hydration, food, education and support services • Respite for YOU © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Hoarding Is a Disease = OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Understanding • Understanding the causation is essential • Understand the statistics: 100% recidivism even with therapy • Scope: understand it is a pervasive psychological disease not a typical abuse case Peace, Love & Understanding © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Team Approach • Team effort is required for any hope of successful resolution • Police and Code Enforcement • Social Welfare: adult services • Psychologist trained in OCD/hoarding behaviors • Family • Community © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Without Team Approach…. You are left pretty much on your own….. Feeling like you are banging your head against a wall…. © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Statistics © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC So While Others Run Away We can stay and take care…. as long as we take care of ourselves…. © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC So let’s talk about taking care of you While Achieving Your Dream to help the critters …. © Copyright 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Dealing With Difficult People Dr. Chery F. Kendrick Kendrick Technical Services, LLC 865-405-4255 © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC A Day in the Life….. • In a typical day we have multiple interactions with many different personality types. • Sometimes multiple personalities in the same individual We Deal With: • • • • • • Colleagues Clients Salesmen Delivery people Pickup people Personal relationships © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Some People are Susie Sunshine © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC And Some Are … Not © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Dealing with People is Like a Beautifully Synchronized Dance…. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Timing is Everything © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Dealing With “Types” • Some say “different strokes for different folks” • In actuality a few tools, one approach works well for all types of people and situations you may encounter © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Let’s First Look at a Few Types The Water Cooler Guys….. the ones who always seem to be on a break especially when there is work to be done © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The In-Your-Face Sales Reps Types © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Gossip Mongers © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The “I Just Don’t Want to Hear It” Manager © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Overachiever © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Blamers…. it is Always someone else’s fault © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The “Never Happy With the Bill” Client © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC And of Course the: “But I Read It On The Internet” Client © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Bottom Line: People are Varied • There are those whose personality rubs you the wrong way. They may not be difficult for someone else, but they are for you. • And then there are those who are difficult for everyone © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Depends on the Day…. • Some days none of those types will bother you… • Other days even Mother Teresa will bug the heck out of you © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Important Thing is YOU! • Taking care of you is essential • Learning to deal with difficult people is part of taking care of YOU © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Dealing Effectively with Difficult People • Become adept at handling difficult people, and you’ll feel much more confident in your own abilities. • If you can handle this, you can handle anything. • While any one can work with the easy people, it takes a real professional to be successful with the difficult people. • Your confidence will grow, your poise will increase, and your self-esteem will increase. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Problem Escalation • On the other hand, if you mishandle it, and watch the situation escalate, then you may find yourself upset for days. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The How To…… • So, how do you handle an angry, complaining client? A pain in the neck colleague? The annoying sales person? • Let's begin with the basic tools you can use in any of these situations. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Tools: Key Actions/Reactions Let’s look at this pyramid And the tools we use : • Respect • Listen • Empathy • Identify the Problem • Avoid Blame • Discuss Solution/Resolution © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Empathy….. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Change, Acceptance and Balance • Change the things you can • Accept Responsibility • Refuse to Accept Responsibility © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Do Not Reward Bad Behavior © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Be Sure to Acknowledge Reward Good Behavior • Don’t forget to also acknowledge the good work • Acknowledge the good client • Acknowledge the helpful colleague © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Protect Yourself • Once again I want to reiterate you cannot nor should you have to solve everyone else’s problems • Karma is a beautiful thing • Keep yourself balanced • And don’t forget your Self-Care Exercises…let’s take a look at them © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Keeping the Candle Lit Without Getting Burned Chery F. Kendrick, DVM, MPVM, MLT, ASCP, CFS Compassion Fatigue Specialist Kendrick Technical Services, LLC © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC About This Presentation We will explore the following: • • • • • • • Compassion Fatigue Definitions Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue Preventing Job Burnout Preventing Compassion Fatigue Healing From Within Healing With Your Team Sharing Ideas and Resources © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Our Compassion Fatigue Workbook © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Working Through The Exercises The Workbook contains relaxation exercises that you can easily practice in the peace and privacy of your own home until they become second nature to you, and allow you to draw on them as coping tools throughout your day (and night) © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Let’s Start With Some Definitions © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Compassion Fatigue, also known as a Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a term that refers to a gradual lessening of compassion over time. It is common among victims of trauma and individuals that work directly with victims of trauma What IS Compassion Fatigue? •Compassion Fatigue is also known as: Secondary Traumatic Stress •It is a part of a the developing field of traumatology •Most often this phenomenon is associated with the “cost of caring” for others in emotional pain •In the animal welfare industry we are especially vulnerable to Compassion Fatigue and job burnout © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Caring May Come With a High Cost “People continue in the field because they love their work; this love causes them terrible pain.” - - Figley & Roop, p46. But it Doesn’t Have to…. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Comparing PTSD – vs. - STSD PTSD STSD • Primary Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): firsthand experience of trauma or traumatic events • PTSD symptoms directly related to traumatized individual or animal • Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD): secondary experience of trauma or traumatic events • STSD symptoms are associated with secondary person or person helping traumatized individual and/or animal © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Job Burnout The total depletion of physical and mental resources caused by excessive striving to reach an unrealistic workrelated goal. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC More on Job Burnout A general feeling of exhaustion that develops when an individual simultaneously experiences too much pressure and has too few sources of satisfaction. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Symptoms of Burnout • • • • • • • Alcohol, drugs, food, or sex to escape feelings Irritable with patients or colleagues More time alone or felt withdrawn Depressed/emotionally drained Not accomplishing anything with patients Lost interest in or resented patients Preoccupied with images of death - - Furman, 2002 © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Here Is An Interesting Statistic: People reflect and think about events inducing negative emotions 5 times as long as they do about events inducing strong positive emotions. - - Robbins © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Emotional Reactions to Working with the Suffering • • • • • A sense of powerlessness or ineffectiveness Anxiety or fear when thinking about the animal Guilt – self doubt; thoughts of hurting people or self Anger or rage Shutdown or numbness – silencing response © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC More Emotional Reactions to Working with the Suffering • Sadness • Depression…insomnia, loss of appetite, thoughts of death, self-medication • Emotional rollercoaster – happy to sad • Overwhelmed • Depleted as a helper © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Compassion Fatigue Burnout Symptoms - Cognitive • • • • • • • Confusion Spaciness Loss of Meaning Apathy Rigidity Disorientation Self -doubt • • • • Trauma imagery Whirling thoughts Perfectionism Diminished Concentration • Minimization • Thoughts of self-harm © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Compassion Fatigue Burnout Symptoms - Physical • • • • Shock Sweating Rapid heartbeat Breathing difficulties • Aches and pains • Dizziness • Increased number and intensity of medical maladies • Other somatic complaints • Impaired immune system • Helplessness © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Compassion Fatigue Burnout Symptoms – Work Performance • • • • • • Low morale Low motivation Avoiding tasks Obsess details Apathy Negativity • • • • • • • • Detachment Poor work commitments Staff conflicts Absenteeism Exhaustion Irritability Withdraw from colleagues Lack of appreciation © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Compassion Fatigue Burnout Symptoms – Interpersonal • Withdrawal • Loss of interest in intimacy or sex • Mistrust • Isolation from friends • Overprotective as a parent • Projection of anger or blame • Intolerance • Loneliness © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Impact On Professional Functioning • Performance of Job Tasks • Decrease in quality/quantity • Avoidance of tasks • Morale • Detachment • Interpersonal • Impatience • Staff conflicts • Behavioral • Absenteeism • Decrease in confidence • Overwork • Frequent Job Changes © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Drama Avoidance 101 “Just because someone brings you a problem doesn’t mean you're automatically in charge of fixing it. Learn to detach yourself from drama.” © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Effects of Toxic People • • • Happier people when making real-life decisions may be smarter more productive decision makers than unhappy people. • Lisa Aspinwall, University of Utah A chilly negative mood activates a battle-stations mode of thinking: The order of the day is to focus on what is wrong & then eliminate it. • Martin Seligman, Ph.D. • A positive mood buoys people into a way of thinking that is creative, tolerant, constructive, generous, un-defensive and lateral. This way of thinking aims to detect not what is wrong, but what is right. • Martin Seligman, Ph.D. Just Say “NO!” To Toxic People © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Symptoms vs Disease • Compassion Fatigue is a set of symptoms, not a disease © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue? • • • • Burnout Depression Sadness Physical Illnesses Irritable Bowel Ulcers High Blood Pressure Insomnia © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Recognizing Signs • The outward signs we experience are displays of stress resulting from giving care to others. • Compassion Fatigue is the name that has been attached to these symptoms so that we have a way of identifying it in ourselves and in others. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Identify • Once identified, we are able to take action to manage the distress this disorder is causing in our lives. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Coping with Emotions • In working with traumatized or suffering people or animals, the most common method of coping with the discomfort we experience is to stifle the emotions that arise. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Stifling Emotions • Sometimes it is the only way we can continue to do the care-giving work that we want to do. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Effects of Compassion Fatigue • Once we are open to accepting the fact that Compassion Fatigue is creating our emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms, we can look at our pain and learn new ways in which to react to them and channel them into positive, healthy actions. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC What is the Basic Message of Of Compassion Fatigue? • Recognize the signs • Take care of you the caretaker • Follow the Rules of Eight © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Compassion Satisfaction is What We Aim For Satisfaction derived from the work of helping others. - - Charles Figley, Ph.D. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Now What © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Our Goal Is To Prevent Compassion Fatigue “To Enable Us to Keep the Candle Lit Without Getting Burned” © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC We Do This By Practicing Self-Care © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Self Esteem and Caring You need your own foundation for self esteem. You will be unable to accept the positive things people say about you if you don’t believe them yourself. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Self-Care Exercises Include • • • • • • • Relaxation Techniques Healthy Lifestyle Recreation Balance Between Work and Play Learning Self-Care Techniques Asking For Help When Needed Learning to Detoxify Your Life © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Follow The Rules of Eight • The Eight Rules Governing Healthy Change • The Eight Rules Governing Healthy Care-giving • The Eight Rules Governing Healthy Self-Care • The Eight Rules Governing A Healthy Workplace © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Eight Laws Governing Healthy Change © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Breaks and Saying “No” • #1 Take frequent breaks from what you are doing. • #2 Weigh your options carefully and learn the word “no.” Use it whenever necessary. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Sharing, Humor • #3 Share the load with others. • #4 There is humor in every situation. Find it and laugh. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Help and Credit • #5 Recognize when you need help. Ask for it. • #6 Give yourself credit when credit is due. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Credit, Breathing • #7 Give others credit when credit is due. • #8 Breathe deeply as often as possible. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Eight Laws Governing Healthy Care-giving © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Compassion, Skepticism, Release • #1 Sustain Your Compassion • #2 Retain Healthy Skepticism • #3 Learn to Let Go Puppy Breath Can Be Healing © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Optimism, Insight & Solutions • #4 Remain Optimistic • #5 Be part of the Solution • #6 Trust Your Insight © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Self-Care, Acknowledgement • #7 Practice Sustainable Self Care • #8 Acknowledge Your Successes © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Eight Laws Governing Healthy Self Care © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Validation • #1 By validating ourselves, we promote acceptance. • #2 By validating others, we elevate ourselves. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Healthy Self Helps Healing Role • #3 By meeting our own mental, physical and emotional needs, we can then give care from a place of abundance, not scarcity. • #4 By practicing self-goodwill, we manifest it throughout our lives. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Honoring Past ► Freedom & Power • #5 By honoring past traumas and hurts, we allow ourselves freedom from the pain that controls us. • #6 By “doing the work,” we reclaim the personal power that is rightfully ours. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Healing Our Emotional Pain Allows Us To Be Better Healers © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Ownership, Authenticity, Happiness • #7 By naming and taking ownership of the core issues that limit our growth, we create authenticity. • #8 By managing our self-care, we welcome happiness into our lives. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Eight Laws Governing A Healthy Workplace • #1 Employer provides a respite for staff following any traumatic event. • #2 Employer provides continuing education for staff. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Benefits, Tools • #3 Employer provides acceptable benefits to aid staff in practicing beneficial self care. • #4 Employer provides management and staff the tools needed to accomplish their tasks. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Workload, Team Work • #5 Management needs to monitor workloads. • #6 Encourage teambuilding activities to promote strong social relationships between colleagues. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Support, Planning • #7 Employers encourage “open door” policies to promote good communication between workers. • #8 Employers have grief processes in place when traumatic events occur onsite. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC For More Help and Information on Our Workshops Please Visit Our Website: www.KendrickTechServices.com © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Working Through the Exercises in the Compassion Fatigue Workbook • The Compassion Fatigue Workbook has exercises designed to help you relax and refocus your energy • These exercises are the tools to help you relieve the stress in order to prevent Compassion Fatigue • Let’s take a moment to walk through some of them © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Breathing • Sounds simple right? • Let’s talk about breathing: • Emotions change breathing patterns • Deep breathing exercises help to clear the mind and relieve stress • Walk through the Breathing exercise in your workbook © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Creative Visualization Exercise This is a relaxation technique that uses guided imagery. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Self Hypnosis Exercise (Self-Talk, Self-Advice) The purpose of this exercise is to evoke a relaxed consciousness and focus that will help you overcome stress linked to various stressors © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Dealing with Violent People Bottom line is: •Do not get caught alone with a potentially violent person •Get Help! Never hesitate to call 911 or to press a panic alarm. •Run, kick, scream, do whatever you need to do to stay safe and get away from danger •No job is worth endangering your life for. •Talk to your Safety Coordinator about other ways your clinic protects employees from potential workplace violence such as panic alarms or secret alert words. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Giving Credit Exercise We all like to be appreciated. Take a moment to think about ways to give yourself and others credit where credit is due. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Learning To Say “No” Exercise Just Say “No!” True this is much easier said than done sometimes. However it may help you to choose wisely if you actually take a moment to think of the consequences of saying “yes” before you agree to take that next project on. © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Healing Touch Self Care Program • A self-care tool • Uses energy fields (chakras) • Realignment of energy fields • Allow the body to self heal © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Healing Touch • Healing Touch = Energy Medicine • Like Acupressure it uses the bodies energy fields known as chakras • HT used for dogs and cats © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Healing Touch is also used for Horses © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Healing Touch for Humans • A powerful tool for you to use • Self healing • Self Chakra Connection © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Self Chakra Connection © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC The Wellness Wheel It’s All About Balance • Balancing the: – – – – – – – Physical Emotional Spiritual Work /Career Play/Recreation Family Friends While Maintaining Mindfulness © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC Practice Makes Perfect • • • Be sure to work through the exercises in your workbook until you feel comfortable. Soon they will become so second nature that you can use one of your exercises to take a quick de-stressing moment any time throughout your work day Encourage all team members to work on these exercises for the good of the team as well as the individual Thank you for all you do © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC And Don’t Forget to Say…. Thank you for spending your Valentine’s day evening with me Doc Chery www.KendrickTechServices.com 865-405-4255 © 2012 Chery F. Kendrick & Kendrick Technical Services, LLC