Psychiatric Bulletin (2007) 31: 316. doi: 10.1192/pb.31.8.316a
© 2007 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Work-related stress
Mary Davoren, Senior House Officer
Mater Psychiatric Scheme, Dublin
MacDara McCauley, Consultant Psychiatrist
St. Brigids Psychiatric Hospital, Ardee, County Louth,
Ireland
Murdoch & Eagles (Psychiatric Bulletin, April 2007, 31,
128–131) list a number of stress factors identified by consultant
psychiatrists. Conspicuous by its absence is any reference to stressful
relationships with colleagues. Are we a profession in denial? Any internet
search for information regarding causes of work-related stress (e.g.
http://www.bbc.co.uk)
will indicate that a well-recognised cause is relationships with colleagues.
This was alluded to by Mackirdy (Psychiatric Bulletin, August 2006,
30, 283–285). Specifically, she cautioned that specialised teams
can lead to boundaries which can deepen into dangerous chasms unless
energy is specifically directed into border diplomacy and
efficiency.
Murdoch & Eagles quite rightly suggest that given our understanding of
stress it would be unfortunate if we do not utilise these skills to our
mutual benefit in combating work-related stress. Of course, as anyone
with a basic grasp of problem-solving knows, clearly identifying the problem
is key to solving it.