Dr Andrew Tresidder joins us to talk about denial, displacement and other ways medical practitioners and other professionals in high stress jobs neglect themselves.

Episode Highlights

[04:46] Burnout Among Health Practitioners

• Medical and health professionals don't understand health as a holistic concept.
• The health industry workload gets heavier every year.

[07:23] Neglect Syndrome

• 'Fine' means being fearful, insecure, neurotic, and emotionally imbalanced.
• Most people's first response to psychological needs is denial.
• All effects are avoidable.

[10:05] The Pillars of Well-Being

• Well-being has five pillars: a social connection, taking notice, being active, learning, and giving.
• Andrew shares a sixth pillar: receiving.
• A relationship is about being energised or calmed by others.

[13:03] What Stress Can Lead To

• Stress can lead to exhaustion and increased adrenaline.
• Practitioners need to know this isn't mental illness but exhaustion.
• Neglect makes people work harder to compensate.

[15:39] Factors of Neglect

• It's easy to say that we need to manage our well-being.
• If we overwork ourselves, our performance gets worse.
• Improving well-being requires changing the workplace environment.

[20:11] Why Resistance Exists

• Doctors and health practitioners often sacrifice themselves to help others.
• Health professionals are still human.

[22:58] Insight Deficit

• Insight deficit occurs when you think you're invincible.
• Exhaustion is normalised.

[26:17] How to Gain Better Health

• Medical education should include health and burnout avoidance.
• The sympathetic state activates our fight or flight response.
• The parasympathetic state is rest.

[33:50] Rest Is Imperative

• Decompression from the alarm phase is difficult.
• Create a habit of rest and permit yourself to relax.
• Before helping others, help yourself first.

[40:50] Andrew's Tips for Health and Well-Being

• Value quiet time, reflect on your values and take care of yourself.
• Preempt neglect to avoid burnout.
• Learn to ask for help and do it early.

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Podcast Links

• Health and Self Care: Inner Balance for an Effective Life by Dr Andrew Tresidder
• The Somerset Emotional Wellbeing Podcast
• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
• You Are Not A Frog Episode 56
• You Are Not A Frog Episode 64
• You Are Not A Frog Episode 68
• Connect with Andrew: Health and Self Care | Email

Mentioned in this episode:

Work Well Live –  May 21st

FrogFest Virtual – May 2025