HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGERS: "Stress-related Memory Loss"
- Melanie Elliott, HIM-retired: 2012
(please excuse spelling and grammer errors - author is visual impaired)
Those aggravating issues that go wrong in the workday and those that go bump in the night - disruption routines and interrupting sleep - all have a cumulative effect on the brain, especially. Scientists have discovered that if they play very irritating hissing noises to mice, the mice are then likely to forget where they can swim to safety while struggling to stay afloat in buckets of water....according to a story published on the science blog "ScienCentralNews " The story, titled "Stress and Memory" summaries the results of a study published in the Proceedings of the "National Academy of Sciences Online" that shows how stress chemically alters the brain's capacity to retain information such as where one can safely get one's head above water when dropped into a pond. That's the effect on mice.
As science gains great insight into the consequences of stress on the brain, the picture that emerges is not a pretty one. A chronic over-reaction to stress overloads the brain with powerful hormones such as adrenaline and corticosteriods that are intended only for short-term duty in emergency situations. Their cumulative effect damages and kills brain cells.
Memory process involves many steps, each of which is relatively easy to disrupt. Stress primarily acts as a source of interference and can prevent and block each of the stages of basic memory processing, namely: encoding, consolidation an retrieval. The key to maintaining memory skills is in the management of stress.
It is imperative that a stressed Health Information Manager tone down stress layers. High levels of adrenaline and excessive amounts of cortisol (corticosteroid) are produced when an individual is under stress. The levels of these must be diminished in order to remain healthy and reduce the odds for brain function not to be adversely affected. When stressed there is an "excess" of adrenaline and cortisol (corticosteriods or cortisol). These substances when at a high level can prevent the brain from laying down new memory, or form accessing a already existing memories.
Realize that while you feel anxious you are also under a great deal of stress. Health Information Managers who are about to experience a "meltdown" describe themselves as "scattered", and with little concentration. Computer users describe stress as an experience in which they look away from their computer screen and then being unable to recall what they were viewing seconds before. Inability to recall well-known information is a stress signal. This has far-reaching ramifications on work productivity. On the positive side we may never get rid of long or short term stress, but we can counteract its effects. The ability to manage stress in the workplace can make the difference between success or failure.
Scores of scientists continue to explore one of our most basic mental states - stress - and its effect on the mind and body. The consequences among brain researchers and psychologists is that a little stress can be helpful in certain situations, but that too much can be destructive to certain situations such as memory and other basic mental functions. These findings reiterate the importance of managing stress throughout life, surfing the health wave to moderate basic mental functions thus creating a life-long process of avoiding the destructive effects of stress and chronic anxiety.
Medically, it has been established that chronic stress and anxiety can crumble an individuals body's immune system. It can lower one's resistance to viruses, cause irritable bowel symptoms and some may experience weight gain or loss. Additionally, a stressed and weakened system can seriously affect the function of the heart and increase the possibilities of stroke and diabetes. Irrespective of the nature of causes of stress - real or perceived, stress and health are closely linked. It is well known that stress, can induce disabling body-mind disorders.
Studies suggest that the inability to adapt to stress is associated with the onset of depression and/or anxiety. Finding ways to manage workplace stress is not about making huge changes to every aspect of one's daily work routine or rethink career ambitious. Stress management requires focus on the one thing that's always within your control.
Warning signs of excessive workplace stress:
- irritability and/or depression
- apathy, lack of interest in work
- sleep difficulties
- excessive fatigue
- decrease in concentration (especially when in a noisy environment)
- muscle tension and headaches
- stomach problems
- social withdrawal
- use of alcohol or drugs to cope
- memory issues
Living under the pressures of stress can damage the brain (memory cells) for years and in some cases, permanently cause permanent brain damage.
Emotional intelligence key skills:
- be aware when you are stressed
- stay connected to your emotional experience
- recognize body language cues of others
- try to meet challenges with humor
Common causes of excessive stress of a Health Information Manager:
- fear of being laid-off
- unrealistic productivity demands
- unrealistic deadlines
- increase of responsibilities
- union membership issues
- institutional budget cuts
- fear of not being able to retire
- fear of a disabling disease
In today's healthcare, the number of consumers in need of care grows at an alarming rate and the number of service providers remain curtailed.
Stress at work is costing Canadian employers millions due to long and short term disability claims; the leading causes of which are related to mental health problems.
Time management tips for reducing stress:
- create a balanced schedule
- don't over-commit yourself
- try to leave earlier from home
- plan breaks
- break tasks into reasonable portions
- delegate - when possible
- be willing to compromise
Only the stressed Health Information Manager can identify the personal particular stresses. Some suggestions for reducing job stress is by prioritizing and organizing responsibilities.
Consider "Brain Training" in the process of reaching our potential for a healthy, functioning brain. For centuries it was believed that once the brain was damaged there was no hope of restoring or repairing particular brain functions. This has since been reversed and Brain Gym has become a popular activity.
The benefits of brain training are not necessarily beneficial only to the aging - all adults can experience life-long benefits from its practice. It is a subject and interest that is going to speed up very quickly. Scientists can demonstrate that the brain has the ability to repair itself. Some of the benefits to brain training are:
- enhancing memory
- increasing productivity
- becoming mentally sharper
- regaining a sense of control of self, in life
- less frustration
- brain flexibility
Brain gym will help you create interesting hints or associations in your mind that can help with memory concerns. A busy Health Information Manager is often successful in most areas of organization as she/he has achieved habitual performances i.e. placing keys to secure, locked down room in the same place and without exception - there is a place for everything and everything has its place.
It would be neglectful not to mention that nutrition plays a major role in the brain's chemistry and cognitive functions. The phrase "you are what you eat" stands steadfast and a topic worthy of further attention.
Kerry Hendrick says "It's also up to my employers to watch out for signs and symptoms and encourage communication. Typically, people who reach their limit of coping, build up frustration long before a meltdown happens.
Employers should provide a development stress-free work environment, recogni\e where stress is originating and facilitate change.
Health Information Department Directors have legal obligations to ensure a safe and health workplace. This includes a worksite free of harassment, bullying, the provision of stress management education, applying stress prevention strategies on a continuous basis, providing clarity in regarding work expectations and the provision of adaptive devices for employees who may be challenged in some manner i.e. a telephone receiver with amplification for a hearing-impaired employee.
In these times of constant change, stress is inevitable and there is now a tendency for the levels of stress to escalate. Health Information Department Directors would greatly benefit in addressing this subject by having access to audiovisual equipment for presentations and other forms of education tools in an effort to introduce all aspects of stress.
It is wise for a Health Information Manager, working as a Department Head to set a goal of comfort and adopt Work-Life to Life Stress.
Memory process involves many steps, each of which is relatively easy to disrupt. Stress primarily acts as a source of interference and can prevent and block each of the stages of basic memory processing, namely: encoding, consolidation an retrieval. The key to maintaining memory skills is in the management of stress.
It is imperative that a stressed Health Information Manager tone down stress layers. High levels of adrenaline and excessive amounts of cortisol (corticosteroid) are produced when an individual is under stress. The levels of these must be diminished in order to remain healthy and reduce the odds for brain function not to be adversely affected. When stressed there is an "excess" of adrenaline and cortisol (corticosteriods or cortisol). These substances when at a high level can prevent the brain from laying down new memory, or form accessing a already existing memories.
Realize that while you feel anxious you are also under a great deal of stress. Health Information Managers who are about to experience a "meltdown" describe themselves as "scattered", and with little concentration. Computer users describe stress as an experience in which they look away from their computer screen and then being unable to recall what they were viewing seconds before. Inability to recall well-known information is a stress signal. This has far-reaching ramifications on work productivity. On the positive side we may never get rid of long or short term stress, but we can counteract its effects. The ability to manage stress in the workplace can make the difference between success or failure.
Scores of scientists continue to explore one of our most basic mental states - stress - and its effect on the mind and body. The consequences among brain researchers and psychologists is that a little stress can be helpful in certain situations, but that too much can be destructive to certain situations such as memory and other basic mental functions. These findings reiterate the importance of managing stress throughout life, surfing the health wave to moderate basic mental functions thus creating a life-long process of avoiding the destructive effects of stress and chronic anxiety.
Medically, it has been established that chronic stress and anxiety can crumble an individuals body's immune system. It can lower one's resistance to viruses, cause irritable bowel symptoms and some may experience weight gain or loss. Additionally, a stressed and weakened system can seriously affect the function of the heart and increase the possibilities of stroke and diabetes. Irrespective of the nature of causes of stress - real or perceived, stress and health are closely linked. It is well known that stress, can induce disabling body-mind disorders.
Studies suggest that the inability to adapt to stress is associated with the onset of depression and/or anxiety. Finding ways to manage workplace stress is not about making huge changes to every aspect of one's daily work routine or rethink career ambitious. Stress management requires focus on the one thing that's always within your control.
Warning signs of excessive workplace stress:
- irritability and/or depression
- apathy, lack of interest in work
- sleep difficulties
- excessive fatigue
- decrease in concentration (especially when in a noisy environment)
- muscle tension and headaches
- stomach problems
- social withdrawal
- use of alcohol or drugs to cope
- memory issues
Living under the pressures of stress can damage the brain (memory cells) for years and in some cases, permanently cause permanent brain damage.
Emotional intelligence key skills:
- be aware when you are stressed
- stay connected to your emotional experience
- recognize body language cues of others
- try to meet challenges with humor
Common causes of excessive stress of a Health Information Manager:
- fear of being laid-off
- unrealistic productivity demands
- unrealistic deadlines
- increase of responsibilities
- union membership issues
- institutional budget cuts
- fear of not being able to retire
- fear of a disabling disease
In today's healthcare, the number of consumers in need of care grows at an alarming rate and the number of service providers remain curtailed.
Stress at work is costing Canadian employers millions due to long and short term disability claims; the leading causes of which are related to mental health problems.
Time management tips for reducing stress:
- create a balanced schedule
- don't over-commit yourself
- try to leave earlier from home
- plan breaks
- break tasks into reasonable portions
- delegate - when possible
- be willing to compromise
Only the stressed Health Information Manager can identify the personal particular stresses. Some suggestions for reducing job stress is by prioritizing and organizing responsibilities.
Consider "Brain Training" in the process of reaching our potential for a healthy, functioning brain. For centuries it was believed that once the brain was damaged there was no hope of restoring or repairing particular brain functions. This has since been reversed and Brain Gym has become a popular activity.
The benefits of brain training are not necessarily beneficial only to the aging - all adults can experience life-long benefits from its practice. It is a subject and interest that is going to speed up very quickly. Scientists can demonstrate that the brain has the ability to repair itself. Some of the benefits to brain training are:
- enhancing memory
- increasing productivity
- becoming mentally sharper
- regaining a sense of control of self, in life
- less frustration
- brain flexibility
Brain gym will help you create interesting hints or associations in your mind that can help with memory concerns. A busy Health Information Manager is often successful in most areas of organization as she/he has achieved habitual performances i.e. placing keys to secure, locked down room in the same place and without exception - there is a place for everything and everything has its place.
It would be neglectful not to mention that nutrition plays a major role in the brain's chemistry and cognitive functions. The phrase "you are what you eat" stands steadfast and a topic worthy of further attention.
Kerry Hendrick says "It's also up to my employers to watch out for signs and symptoms and encourage communication. Typically, people who reach their limit of coping, build up frustration long before a meltdown happens.
Employers should provide a development stress-free work environment, recogni\e where stress is originating and facilitate change.
Health Information Department Directors have legal obligations to ensure a safe and health workplace. This includes a worksite free of harassment, bullying, the provision of stress management education, applying stress prevention strategies on a continuous basis, providing clarity in regarding work expectations and the provision of adaptive devices for employees who may be challenged in some manner i.e. a telephone receiver with amplification for a hearing-impaired employee.
In these times of constant change, stress is inevitable and there is now a tendency for the levels of stress to escalate. Health Information Department Directors would greatly benefit in addressing this subject by having access to audiovisual equipment for presentations and other forms of education tools in an effort to introduce all aspects of stress.
It is wise for a Health Information Manager, working as a Department Head to set a goal of comfort and adopt Work-Life to Life Stress.
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