Nurses with Mental Illness: Share Your Self-Care Strategies

Nurses Stress 101

Published

As we are all undoubtedly aware, our nursing jobs can leave even the hardiest of us tired, burned out, anxious, and depressed. Most of us will experience it at least once during the course of our careers, and I think it's safe to say that almost everyone suffers the occasional bout of "nerves". Caring for others makes it difficult to care for ourselves, so we all too often get through our work days by drinking too much coffee, eating too much junk food, and neglecting our bodies' needs for proper hydration and elimination.

This is a tough job for anyone. But for those of us who are compromised by emotional and/or mental illness, every day can be an uphill battle, and stability is a goal that sometimes seems impossible to achieve given the nature of nursing in the 21st Century.

Here, then, is a thread for nurses with depression, anxiety, OCD, and other mental health diagnoses to share the wellness tips and tricks that help them stay in control of their illness---and manage stress---while working as a nurse in today's healthcare environment. I don't know about you, but I'm sure I'm not the only AN member who's interested in learning about the self-care strategies other members use to keep their sanity in a profession that often seems all too eager to separate us from it.

Just a reminder: please do not ask for, or offer medical advice, as this is against the Terms of Service of this forum. It's also not a good idea to recommend a particular medication or treatment for the same reason; as always, your own healthcare provider is the person best suited to advise you on any concerns.

So, how do you cope? For me, it's a combination of several medications, a low-stress job, and regular therapy sessions with my psychiatrist; however, these things are only the beginning. Exercise in the form of gardening, music, prayer, and journaling are also part of my healthier lifestyle these days.

Now, it's YOUR turn. :yes: Enjoy!

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling...are you having to switch from days to nights on a rotating basis? If so, I would think that would make things more difficult. For me, personally, I have accepted that because of my basically lifelong (since age 7) struggle w/depression and anxiety, medication will be a part of my life - at least for periods of it. I have also realized that a M-F job, which I know sounds extremely appealing to some, is NOT for me and has caused my issues to exacerbate. I am in the process of returning to the hospital setting but in a PRN position and on a unit that is not high stress. It's a drive for me ( a little over an hour) but the balance it will afford me will be worth it. I have no advice other than to say no job is worth your health so if it's the job itself - start looking around - even new grad or fairly new grads who have their foot already in the door are in a better position to find something. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

Technically I am a day/evening switch, but there are too many people on that rotation and not enough evening shifts to meet the scheduling requirements for everyone. I purposely schedule my nights consecutively so I don't have to switch back and forth. Plus, since I am a new hire, I have been working every other weekend, although that ends soon. I don't know that it is the job, or my schedule, or the season, or a combination of factors. The only thing that helped early in orientation, which was a disaster, was doing yoga before my shifts. The only problem is I am not a morning person and I rarely prioritize yoga over sleep anymore. I just can't be crying at work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good thread. I suffer from Social Anxiety disorder and depression. I did cognitive behavioral therapy which sort of helped but at $35 copay per visit I can't go as often as I should. Also I try to avoid any medication and it's side effects..

I wanted to mention the positive effect and importance of diet, sleep and exercise. I feel worlds better about myself when I take care of me in the most basic sense ; eating whole foods, getting in my workout either at the gym or doing yoga at home and getting to bed at a reasonable hour. Easier said than done especially if you have young children (like myself ) and during the holidays which is why this is SUCH a hard time for me and I'm guessing many of you. XO...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm dysthymic. I constantly have to remind myself that sometimes stuff just happens, that as long as I'm doing my very best it's OK if it doesn't turn out exactly how I wanted, and I am a capable, intelligent individual. The co-morbidity of type 1 diabetes adds to the occasional bout of double depression, because if you're depressed, your blood sugars can go all screwy and then that can make you depressed. I'm also ADHD, and that gets me frazzled.

Medication doesn't really work for me well. I've learned to get out my problems and express them, even if it's only out loud to myself or writing them down longhand. Then I've learned that you can be upset or angry for a little bit, but then you just have to pick it up and remember, tomorrow's another day, and come up with ways you can attempt fixing stuff that's happening.

I make jewelry, read, listen to music, watch particular TV shows, and play video games to relieve stress. I try to put things in the same place every time, make lists and mark stuff down on paper and electronic calendars.

I probably need to seek therapy in addition to exercise and getting a proper amount of sleep, but that's been a little tricky.

It also may help if I can find a job sometime soon. But, time will tell on that one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

A few weeks ago, my psychiatrist set a curfew of sorts for me by more or less demanding that I go to bed no later than 2300 and get up no later than 0730 EVERY day. Regardless of what was going on, or how much I wanted to stay up and play half the night. Being naturally rebellious ("I'm almost 55 years old and you're giving me a BEDTIME??!"), I hated it at first, but I did it because I was coming off a one-two punch of mania that crashed into depression, and I was pretty beaten down.

It's taken a while, but I don't resent it any more, and in fact it's become a habit that has gone a long way toward steadying me. It's also made me better about taking my meds at the same time each day. The discipline will be especially critical when I start my new job in January, because I'm going someplace where they don't know anything about my history and I'd just as soon keep it that way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I personally suffer from anorexia/bulimia. I have been in recovery for years but I also have severe anxiety. So if some problems from home follow me to work I do have a panic attack.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

What do you do for that? I hope you are not going untreated.....life's too short to be that kind of miserable. :cry:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I deal with depression. I manage a lot of it by eating clean and exercising (primarily running and weight training, but other things, too), but I started taking Wellbutrin while in nursing school. I may wean off after school (I do feel that the increased stress exacerbated my symptoms). I'd like to get back into therapy, because it was extremely helpful, but I can't afford it right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I deal with depression. I manage a lot of it by eating clean and exercising (primarily running and weight training, but other things, too), but I started taking Wellbutrin while in nursing school. I may wean off after school (I do feel that the increased stress exacerbated my symptoms). I'd like to get back into therapy, because it was extremely helpful, but I can't afford it right now.

Have you looked into your city or county health department? These facilities usually offer some mental health services, and fees are often based on a sliding scale according to income. My husband and I took our older son there when he was little, and we paid $2 for his therapy sessions. Of course, I'm sure it's more now, but when you consider what therapists charge I would think it's pretty minimal.

Therapy is at least as good, if not better than medication for depression. You're already doing some really healthy things along with taking meds. Good for you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was a child and had some suicidal ideation and self-harm issues more recently. My diagnosis is PTSD.

Taking my meds really helps. I also do a lot of positive self-talk at my new job. (You can do it! Own that cart! This job is easy!) I write a blog and post on AN.

If I feel anxious about something in my personal, I try to figure out what it is and address it or do the task so it doesn't fester.

I've developed a support network of friends who I can talk to a little bit. I don't unload everything on any one person, but there's at least 3 people I can count on to give me positive uplifting, "you can do it girl", pep talks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

More on sleep:

It's now been over two months since my psychiatrist imposed my "curfew", and it's got to be more than coincidence that I've been stable despite all the excitement with the new job. The routine also helps me take my meds at the same times each day.

Now I don't even resent it anymore, as I decided to take ownership of it---now I go to bed earlier because I have to get up earlier, and allow myself only an hour's leeway on the weekends. Sure, I'd like to be able to stay up into the wee hours, but I know what happens when I do that, and it's not worth it.

Bottom line: if you're on meds and therapy and are still not getting adequate relief of your symptoms, try a regular sleep schedule and take your medication at the same time(s) every day and see what happens. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment