My hiatus is over . . . Burnout v. Depression

mental health MON

An unexpected hiatus

Until I posted a devotional on SAT 10/8, I hadn't posted a blog since the end of SEP. I hadn't planned on a hiatus. A couple of factors contributed. First, a couple of weeks are coming up very soon when I will miss an entire week at Orphan Grain Train, so I've been working to build up a "store house" of devotionals in anticipation of those weeks when I won't be in the office to write. Second, I've been working on my Power Point slide show for my sectional at the National Lutheran Education Association Convocation in Grand Rapids, MI. Lois & I are scheduled to leave this TUE 10/11. My presentation is on FRI 10/14. That has taken a lot of the personal time I would ordinarily be devoting to my blogs.

“FIZZLING? DROP & ROLL!”

That's the title of my sectional at the LEA Convocation this FRI 10/14. Here's the description which I submitted:  “Feel like you’re burning out? Working w/someone who may be burning out? Gain insights into symptoms & causes of burnout & depression, drawing upon research & my own personal experience. Learn from Scripture & where to get help, including resources such as counseling, Grace Place, & Shepherd’s Canyon Retreats.” I found out on FRI 10/7 that 36 people have signed up for my sectional. This has contributed to my . . . anxiety.
          MY COMMENTS:  I actually had the idea for this sectional before I officially entered my "sabbatical * phase. Already years before I succumbed to an unusually bad case of burnout/depression--one that I did NOT bounce back from, unlike previous bouts, I had come to the conclusion that professional church workers & their spouses & families may be especially susceptible vulnerable for a variety of reasons & felt that I had some worthwhile information to share. In the introduction to my presentation I will include some caveats, stressing for example that I am NOT a mental health professional. 
         NOTE:  I've chosen to document my other sources, since I am NOT a MHP.
* Otherwise known as long-term medical disability & "semi-voluntary" leave-of-absence

BURNOUT STATISTICS

• 1,500 pastors leave ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
• 80% of pastors & 84% of their spouses feel unqualified & discouraged in their roles. [ICRTT * ]
• 50% are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could but have no other way of making a living. [ICRTT * ]
• 90% of pastors said their seminary or Bible school-training did only a fair to poor job of preparing them for ministry.
• Pastors are 35% more likely to be terminated if they work less than 50 hrs/weekly.
• 80% of pastors believe their ministry negatively affects their families. [ICRTT * ]
• 80% of pastors say they do not have sufficient time to spend w/their spouses.
• 45.5% of pastors have experienced burnout/depression & had to take a break from ministry. [ICRTT * ]
• 57% of pastors do not have a regularly scheduled & implemented exercise routine. [ICRTT * ]
• SOURCE:  Halloran 2013.

      MY COMMENTS:  I searched but couldn't find statistics for Lutheran educators. My gut feeling is that statistics could be dramatically high for them, given very similar dynamics. Some of these symptoms seem almost overly dramatic, but I am quoting from a source. [I've highlighted those that specifically apply to me, whether past, present, or both.]
      AN ADDITIONAL CAVEAT:  I am officially designated by the LC-MS as a "Minister of Religion, Commissioned. I am currently on the "inactive" list, due to my medical disability.
* "I can relate to that."

BURNOUT OR DEPRESSION?

• Medical world has tended to see them as 2 distinct health conditions.
• New study suggests they may be closer to one.
• Public school teachers w/high burnout symptoms reported more depressive traits than those w/low depressive traits.
• Burnout is assumed to be related to job stress but may be a depressive syndrome that develops in response to chronic stress.
• Burnout is regarded as a state of physical & mental exhaustion.
• Depression is characterized by chronic sadness & anxiety.
• Core symptoms of depression—hopelessness & helplessness—are also common to burnout.
• Redefining burnout could lead to more effective treatment for such patients, who are less likely to seek help than those w/depression--& they may get better care from experts in depression.
• SOURCE:  Lukits 2016

        MY COMMENTS:  "Burnout" is usually a more useful term for laypeople. Most mental health professionals I know discount "burnout" in favor of "depression." I tend to agree. I also think that "victims" often feel more comfortable wrapping themselves in the blanket of "burnout." Why? It doesn't sound as threatening as "depression." Also, it's easy to delude yourself into thinking that there's some sort of perverse pride in burnout out, i.e., "Look at me! I have worked so hard, poured so much time & energy into my ministry, that I've burned out." Also, if I tell myself that my problem is "burnout," it's easier for me to fool myself into thinking that I can bounce back from it easier without professional help. [Can you relate to any of this?]

BURNOUT:  SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Stress  [ICRTT * ]
• Depression  [ICRTT * ]
• Insufficient sleep & rest  [ICRTT * ]
• Spiritual dryness
• Loss of motivation for ministry  [ICRTT * ]
• Feelings of isolation  [ICRTT * ]
• Susceptibility to temptation  [ICRTT * ]
• Disengaged & a lack of love w/those you serve  [ICRTT * ]
• SOURCE:  Halloran 2013.

       MY COMMENTS:  I will be asking my participants to do a "self-check." I've also "high-lighted" those signs & symptoms that I can relate to:  past and/or present.
* "I can relate to that."

DEPRESSION CHECKLISTS:

___ I feel sad or hopeless.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I’ve lost interest or pleasure in things I used to enjoy. I forget things easily.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I forget things easily.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I have trouble thinking or concentrating on things like reading the newspaper or watching 
       t.v.  [ICRTT * ]

___ It’s hard to make decisions.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I feel like I think more slowly than I used to.  [ICRTT * ]

___ Some of my movements are slow, like speech & blinking.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I feel restless.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I have less energy & I’m tired a lot.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I feel guilty or worthless.  [ICRTT * ]

___ I’ve lost or gained a lot of weight or my appetite has changed. [ICRTT * ] **

___ I have thoughts about taking my own life.

HOW DIFFICULT HAVE YOUR SYMPTOMS MADE IT FOR YOU TO WORK, TAKE CARE OF THINGS AT HOME, OR GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE?

___ Not difficult at all

___ Somewhat difficult

___ Very difficult [ICRTT * ] ***

___ Extremely difficult

* "I can relate to that."
** Hint:  I know it's selfish, but I've always envied people who LOSE weight when they're stressed.
*** Of course, I could be fooling myself.

• SOURCE:  Yahnke 2013.

        MY COMMENTS:  Ditto my comments above. Also, notice how many similarities. [Depression possibly could be seen as "burnout on steroids."]

SOURCES:

• Halloran, Kevin. “Christian Ministry Burnout, Prevention, Signs, Statistics & Recovery. leadership resources.org, posted 10/22/13.
• Lukits, Ann. “Are Burnout & Depression the Same Thing?” Wall Street Journal on-line, 3/7/16.
• Yahnke, Dr. Beverly. “Depression:  Understanding the Pieces of the Puzzle.” Lutheran Hour Ministries brochure, 2013.

        MY COMMENTS:  I think I mentioned above that I felt it was important to document much if not all of this material, since I am NOT a mental health professional.