Jerry and Dennis are together by phone and record this update about their lives and the ministry of Spirit of Hope. Jerry shares some insights on "burn-out"---a dark step beyond depression. He reads a self-diagnostic list from booklet/article by Dr. Archibald Hart "Burnout---A Blessing in Disguise." Burnout is different than depression. Burnout is especially common among people who care for other people in some way. Many caregivers are parents or family members or professional caregivers. But this also includes people who become emotionally enmeshed and entangled with others. his is commonly called “codependency.” According to Dr. Archibald Hart, “A body system exhausted by overwork, pushed beyond reasonable endurance, and depleted of resources could become burned out. In essence, extreme states of burnout will comprise most, if not all of the following:
***Demoralization—the belief you are no longer effective in your life, work, or career.
***Depersonalization—the treatment of yourself and others in an impersonal way.
***Detachment—the withdrawal from all responsibilities.
***Distancing—the avoidance of social and interpersonal contacts.
***Defeatism—the feeling of being beaten and the loss of any hope that things will change or get better.
Remember, neither depression or burnout is bad. It’s the mind and body’s protective programming. It provides the opportunity to change, heal, and grow. Think of it as a field trip—a learning experience. Imagine what a caterpillar must go through during the transition to butterfly!
For more of the booklet/article's content and the self-diagnostic list/tool read by Jerry
email: jerryseiden@gmail.com. And PLEASE go to
www.ADDChurch.org, click the donate button, make a generous donation, and in the comments space ask for a copy of the old movie
"Meet John Doe" mentioned by Dennis in this podcast and ask for the "Burn Out" .pdf file, too. We'd appreciate it.
