-Our reluctance to asking for help can stem from a number of factors but the most common factor is our desire for comfort. Asking for help means putting ourselves into positions of vulnerability and hoping the people we're asking to help us will treat us with kindness, respect, and dignity. This is especially true when we don't know the person we're asking, or if the person is a medical professional. But putting ourselves in these vulnerable situations is necessary, especially if we're facing situations where our problems are out of control or experience. If we're close to burning out (or are suffering through burnout) we may need to ask a doctor / therapist for better ways to cope with what we're experiencing. If our job is causing stress and strain then we may want to talk with others in our community to see if we're the only ones experiencing this feeling.
-
-It's cliche to say "there's no shame in asking for help" but it bears repeating. We can't do everything on our own and need the help of others. Even if it's something as simple as someone saying "wow, that sucks" that's at least a connection with someone else who understands what we're going through. Finding someone who is willing to listen, empathize, and commiserate can be the difference between feeling like we're not alone and feeling like we've been abandoned.
-
-We also need to recognize when our support systems aren't supporting us any longer. If we find that simply taking about a problem isn't giving us resolution we may need to find other means of help. You may recognize that you need some additional support, but it's far more common for folks to believe that they can do it all on their own. Only you know your situation and only you know if you're being honest with yourself and if you're deluding yourself. And if you're deluding yourself then only you can take the initiative to seek out the help that you need. Nobody else knows your inner-workings better than you.
+"There's no shame in asking for help" is an overused phrase, but asking for help is not a shameful act. We need the help of others. Even someone saying "I'm sorry you're dealing with that" can be a connection with someone else who sympathizes what we're going through. Finding others who are willing to listen, empathize, and commiserate can be the difference between feeling part of a community and feeling like we've been abandoned in our profession.