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HP1000 Tutorial 12 Stress and Mental Health
A Case of Job Overload
Stan was a counselor in a community mental health center in the Midwest for three years. When he
started working there, he was a 23-year-old who described himself as an “eager, open-minded, caring
person.” He chose this job in order to serve others who were unable to make it on their own without a
little help from a friendly therapist. At first, the job was challenging and rewarding. Stan was
intervening in crisis situations to give advice, guidance, and emotional support to many clients in
distress. There were rape victims, abused spouses, suicidal callers, depressed aged, alienated youth, and
a host of others who just could not cope any longer with life’s demands.
But the initial glow of his job dimmed as the clients began to overwhelm Stan with their
seemingly endless complaints, hurts, and fears. They were getting to him. He was too personally
involved, not able to detach his emotional concern from his professional obligation.
He began drinking heavily after work and taking tranquilizers to relax enough to go to sleep
each night. Headaches became frequent, his blood pressure shot up, and his sick-leave time was used to
its limit. Stan developed an ulcer that required medication and a change in diet. His once outgoing
personality became marked by its somber, cynical, and easily irritated nature. He was no longer any fun
for his family or friends to be with, so they avoided him.
Stan had underestimated the emotional strain of caring for others day in and day out. His case
load was more than he could handle adequately. The paperwork, red tape, and lack of support from the
staff added frustration to his escalating emotional overload. When he was successful, the clients never
returned to say “thanks”; other problem persons just filled their vacant folders.
Stan reacted to this stressful situation at many levels. His body rebelled with assorted
symptoms of distress, including headaches, high blood pressure, and ulcers. He tried to suppress his
agitation, anxiety, and anger by abusing drugs and alcohol. His outlook on life and his self-esteem
spiraled downward. He gave too much at the office and, so, had little left to share with loved ones at
home. In turn, they withdrew some of the social support Stan needed. For a while, the only exit out of
his dilemma was marked “suicide.” Fortunately, he rejected that alternative as too final. He did not
have enough energy and resources to try to change the structure of the job, so in desperation he took
the other exit marked “escape.” He went back to school, completed his Ph.D., and now is happily
working as a consultant on problems of job stress and constructive ways of overcoming it.
