Cath Lab Digest

The question of attitude may be more appropriately related to our feelings. The problem is the negative feelings. These negative feelings become thoughts, words and sometime unconscious or conscious deeds. When your outlook is “Why should I care?” No one else does! You could become that saboteur or at least an accomplice who encourages coworkers to talk or act in a negative way.

Perhaps you are already spreading that negativity with words and actions in the cardiac cath lab. Are you a positive or negative influence in the cath lab? Think about this: take a look at your attitude, your thoughts, your feelings towards work today. Are you ready, willing and a little bit excited about working today? Are you a positive force in the cath lab?

Read the quote by Charles Swingoll on attitude (see sidebar). You are responsible for your attitude. Outside factors can influence you, but in the end, only you can control your outlook on work, home and all the other times in between. How you react to the triumphs, the tragedies, the hurting and the healing is up to you.

Be realistic; negative thoughts and feelings plague all of us from time to time. The resentment, frustration and overpowering fear creep into the mind like an unwelcome stranger. We need to recognize this in others as well as in ourselves. More importantly, we need to help ourselves before we can help others. Take an honest and open survey of yourself and your interactions with coworkers. Ask yourself some questions:

1. Am I affected by the environment (weather, darkness or cold)?
2. Am I angry (frustrated) about circumstances at work or outside work?
3. Am I depressed (hopeless) about circumstances at work or outside work?
4. Am I worried (fearful) about circumstances at work or outside work?
5. Is it just me, or is it the entire team that feels negative about work?
6. Is this an acute or chronic negative attitude?

Perhaps you should ask others around you if you are acting negatively or positively. You may want to be specific and hear how they perceive you. Remember, most friends will be diplomatic, and then there are those who will say things just to stir the pot and get a reaction.

I’ll say it again: we are not psychiatrists here. We do, however, want to be in touch and understand our emotions and feelings. Recognize that these negative feelings you have can hurt you and others if something is not done about them. You are in control of them. You, and only you, can change them.

Your resentment and frustration may build to anger, pumping your body full of adrenaline, raising your blood pressure and making it difficult to concentrate on your work or speak with a civil tongue. You get in over your head driven by rash actions. Are you fueled by emotions that lack a solid base? Is your resentment going to make things better? You have to live with the reputation you make at work — what do you want that reputation to be? Cool-hand Luke, or Hot Head?

Your depression (or anger without enthusiasm) brings on feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, darkening and saddening your world. This malaise can take you out of action. You are not hungry. You can’t sleep. You become withdrawn from coworkers, social situations, family and friends. You have decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down” or lethargic. You are sidelined. You are not as productive. Is this how you want others to see you (especially your family and coworkers)?

Your worry is that “anxiety” that causes you to sweat, increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. You have negative self-talk that often distracts you from focusing on the problem at hand. Those conversations with yourself, when you are telling yourself you cannot do this, are not helping the situation. Fear of failure is a haunting fear, but heroes face their fears and overcome them. We all want to be heroes.

These faces (demons) of negative feelings — resentment, anger, frustration, depression and anxiety — have been felt by everyone. Most of the negative feelings you feel are a shade of and not the full fury of anger, weeping sadness or pathetic worry. These emotions come in varying degrees at different times. You know these feelings are unpleasant. You know they do not help, but rather hinder you. You know they are not good for your mental health. Nevertheless, what can you do to minimize the amount of time you feel them and make sure you do not act or overreact from them?

Psychologists recommend that we take the time to examine the situation causing the negative feelings. First, one must determine if this is the problem or if it’s a carryover from last night’s argument? Second, is this a real problem or are you making a mountain out of a molehill? Third, is this a long-term problem or will it be replaced by something else tomorrow? Fourth, is this a reoccurring problem that has not been resolved? Do not rely solely on your vantage point. We all have limited problem-solving skills; involve others to help find positive solutions.

If there is a concrete circumstance, a real problem causing the feelings, give it some good hard thought, and then do something. Solve the problem. Get the monkey off your back. Some may wish to only talk about their problems to others for the sympathy or to show their suffering. Be strong. Resist the negative words and actions. List your accomplishments and added responsibilities, go to your supervisor and present your list, then ask if they merit an increase in salary.

OK, what if there is absolutely nothing you can do about the situation? You are stuck with this lousy equipment or coworkers or supervisor. Then get involved in something else that engages your mind, and forget about it. Start working on a college degree, get involved with your church or temple, prepare a presentation to the ACC, or plan a vacation to Disney World.