TREATMENT BURNOUT
Do I have what it takes to keep going?
THE LONG ROAD OF SURVIVORSHIP
• Diagnosis
• Treatment decision making
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Side effects
• Parp Inhibitor
• Follow up appointments and test
• Long term effects
AT A CROSSROADS
I CONTINUE?”
• Feel betrayed by body
• Doubt in the efficacy of ongoing treatment
• Frustration with side effects & feeling bad
• Tired of the limits of cancer.
• Worried about the burden on others.
Julie Larson, LCSW
THIS IS NORMAL … AND UNDERSTANDABLE.
• Cut yourself a break
• Notice your distress.
• Show yourself kindness, comfort and reassurance.
• Feeling “off” is normal and to be expected.
• Pay attention to the self-talk you are engaging in today.
“I can’t do this.” “I am coping poorly.” “I won’t be able to make it.”
“Goodness, you’re having a hard day.” “You’re doing the best you can.” “This feels intense, but you can do hard things.” “I can dig deep.”
Julie Larson, LCSW
THE SKILL OF LIVINGINTHEAND AND
The ability to make space for what is stressful in our lives &
identify and name where you have control right now.
Hint: start small.
Julie Larson, LCSW
MAKING SPACE FOR THE EMOTIONAL WEIGHT
Resist judging your feelings
Resist ignoring your feelings
• Fear and worry many not completely go away.
• Name it & Claim it.
• Building tolerance for uncomfortable feelings gives us flexibility with our attention.
• Noticing and calming yourself is always step one. You’ll analyze, make choices and engage in self care once you find calm.
• Naming a feeling gives you a little distance from the feeling so you can respond (not react)
Resist allowing your feelings to define a moment Julie Larson, LCSW
BURNOUT = A SYMPTOM OF AN UNMET NEED
• The cause of burnout isn’t always obvious
• Begin talking about your feelings with others you trust (specific members of your medical team, close friends or family).
DECODING BURNOUT: DO OTHERS HAVE PERSPECTIVES THAT HELP YOU?
• What do you want to be different?
• Doctor’s may be able to adjust treatment without comprising results
• Complementary care team can help with symptom management.
• Do friends notice you’ve been withdrawn?
• Do family members recognize you haven’t been sleeping?
• Is your focus only cancer? - treatment options, attending to side effects, managing appointments and insurance claims? Where is the you outside of cancer?
• Do others approach you and focus primarily on “how you are doing with regard to your treatment”?
• Are there feelings of monotony and dread?
• Do you feel as though no one else truly understands this long haul?
Julie Larson, LCSW
FINDING BALANCE
• Does your distress direct you to where you might need to focus?
• Explore ways to ”parachute out”
• Do you know what activities consume your attention (mindful)
• Give yourself permission to step away
AND
FINDING CONNECTION
• You are not the only one who suffers
• Others are navigating hardship and also working to find their way
• The ebb and flow of distress may mean understanding others can be empowering, compassionate, connected
• Leads to a sense of belonging
AND
• Let others carry you, hope for you, believe for you when it feels to hard.
• Find ways to connect to parts of YOU that you need for your well being.
FINDING PERSPECTIVE
• Perspective works TWO ways
• Begin to listen closely to yourself.
• Zoom OUT for the Big Picture
AND
• Zoom OUT to reconnect with your values (North Star)
• Zoom IN to this day, this moment, this task.
• Allow for waves of understanding and uncertainty
FINDING MEANING
• Can you articulate the changes in you?
• What have you learned about your relationships?
AND
• Have your priorities changed in ways that help you feel grounded and authentic?
• Notice when you find moments of joy or calm? What does that tell you?
THE COMFORT (AND POWER) OF IMPERMANENCE
• Remember your feelings will likely change from day to day.
• The discomfort comes in waves.
• Listen closely and work to learn what your feelings are telling you about your needs.
• Ignoring needs and dismissing hard feelings intensifies distress.
• Talk with others about your feelings of burnout
• Consider burnout as a symptom – what is it telling you.
Julie Larson, LCSW