DR. MASON
 Response from Dr. Mason
In truth, it would be difficult to imagine
a job that didn’t have an effect on
personality. A recent article in the journal
Neuroimage reported that healthcare
professionals who feel a patent’s pain are
far more apt to suffer personal distress,
burnout and compassion fatigue.
Bedside manner was important in the
old days when treatment still involved
bloodletting with unwashed hands. A
doctor who seemed to exude empathy
could act as an effective placebo when
there wasn’t much else available. But
today, if a professional is swept up in the
passion of the moment he may then be
unable to marshal the cognitive resources
necessary to provide any meaningful
assistance.
Just starting out at a state mental
hospital, I came across a David Niven
look-alike sporting a green paisley ascot
and reading The Times. When I said, “You
don’t look crazy” he gave an appreciative
guffaw and told me his kids had him
committed as a means of getting his
money. I listened to his story, was
thoroughly convinced and brought it up at
the next morning’s staff meeting. As my
colleagues tittered at my naiveté, the chief
resident told me all I needed to know.
Clearly I’d met George…who never had
any children and certainly never had any
money.
On another occasion, I found myself
accidentally locked into a third floor ward
with about a hundred mentally disturbed
patients. Making my way to one of the
barred windows, I called down to three
white coats that were walking below:
“Hey…Help…I got locked in by mistake.”
They didn’t even bother to look up.
On the job training changed my views -
how not to get emotionally involved and
to always maintain a sense of skepticism.
Contact Dr. Mason at NBY! Dr. Mason,
PO Box 722, Brea, CA or email him at
92822DrSBMason@aol.com.
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KRISTIN
 Response from Kristin
Is there anything more upsetting than
thinking you know someone, than having
them turn into “someone else?” What I
find healthy, however, is that you are
NOT blaming yourself.
As far as a regular job changing
you…no. At our core, we are who we are,
but our working life can draw out deeper
aspects of ourselves. A solitary job could
make us feel less chatty, true.
I’ve also seen people in customer
service get quiet from over stimulation.
For example, my co-worker who answers
the phone all day hates to answer the
phone when she’s home.
We hear so much about stress and the
workplace. Now think, for a long haul
driver his workplace is his only place.
Unlike my co-worker, he doesn’t have the
option of not answering the phone. He is
always responsible for expensive
equipment and must remain alert in the
foulest weather.
Also, alot of truck drivers are not 8 to 5
guys, their schedules being as erratic as
their sleep. This may be why your friend
has become irritable. I know of no one
who is cheerful when exhausted.
If you want this relationship, then I
would set boundaries of how you will
allow him to talk to you, and I would urge
him to open up about his new profession.
It’s possible, due to economic reasons,
he feels driving is his only option, and the
job is not a good fit for him. If that’s the
case, encourage him otherwise. He may
want to talk for another reason - you may
not be the only one
Contact Kristin at NBY! Kristin,
PO Box 722, Brea, CA or email her at
92822
bettertimesafter50@hotmail.com.
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