The job of an occupational therapist can be stressful. There are patients to see, rotations to cover and treatments to deliver almost on a daily basis. In addition, occupational therapists often treat injuries, illnesses or disabilities in people who will most likely never fully recover from their ailments. This inability to watch a patient eventually recover fully from their injury or illness can cause added emotional pressure on an occupational therapist.
Stress is present in every job, but if you’re an occupational therapist who connects with patients during treatment, you may suffer more stress than others. According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can affect your body, thoughts, feelings and even your behavior. Stress is a normal physical reaction to any event that threatens or upsets you – whether the danger is a lion chasing you or a boss rebuking you, stress needs to be properly managed to reduce any negative impact. One of the greatest dangers of stress is its ability to slowly sneak up on a person and degrade the health and happiness of that individual over time.
The common effects of stress include headache, muscle tension or pain, chest pain, fatigue, change in sex drive, upset stomach and disrupted or extended sleep problems. While all of these conditions can be caused by other ailments, stress can insidiously sneak up and rob you of your health before you know what’s wrong.
Your mood can also change if you have been experiencing an increase in stress. According to the American Physiological Association’s report titled, “Stress in America,” stress has been linked to anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation or focus, irritability, anger, sadness and depression. The ailment can also lead to behavioral changes such as over- or under-eating, angry outbursts, drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use and social withdrawal.
If you’re an occupational therapist and feel stressed out, you may want to manage the condition to ensure it doesn’t promote further negative feelings. The Mayo Clinic recommends stress management strategies such as physical activity, relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga or tai chi to help mediate stress. Whether stress has an identifiable physical, emotional or behavioral effect on you, learning helpful ways to manage the response can help you remain healthy and happy.