For 10 years, I have worked in a service for young people who have experienced abuse. I am suddenly finding it difficult to switch off from work and experience anxiety and panic attacks as I am so upset about some of the young people's experiences. What can I do?
A decade working in the field of abuse is a long time. Many children and young people will have benefited enormously from the support you have given them.
Working with abuse can be a draining experience as well as a positive one. It is often too easy to put the needs of your service users before your own, and to forget to look after yourself in the process. You need to have regular line management and clinical supervision, where each case can be discussed in detail and feelings and emotions you may have about them can be shared in a safe and therapeutic environment.
If you are experiencing these attacks, talk to your doctor about accessing counselling support and techniques to help you relax and separate work from the rest of your life. Consider carrying out a different role for a while until you have got over this period.
Jeanie Lynch works for Barnardo's and has 25 years' experience of working with vulnerable children and families
Email questions, marked "Experts", to cypnow@markallengroup.com
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