Case study / Video presented during the meeting of the Association of Doctors of the 6th ^{arrondissement} of Paris with Cabinet LACT, on the theme "STRESS AT WORK".

Nearly thirty doctors attended, on Tuesday April 8, 2014, the evening debate organized by the Association of doctors of the 6th ^{arrondissement} of Paris, around the theme of "Suffering at work" followed by a dinner .

The context

We are in the presence of Cédric, a 48-year-old journalist, self-taught, passionate about his profession, which he sees as a culmination.
Cédric works in pairs with a young colleague, Julia, with whom he goes on a field report.
Little by little, he finds that his working conditions are becoming difficult, he loses the taste for his profession to which he no longer attaches meaning.
His wife notices a change in his attitude;
he groans a lot, she says. She worries about her health. He tries to save face but nevertheless formulates a mobility request with his HRD. But he does not know how to say what he would like to do. At the same time, he often consults his general practitioner for loss of sleep, anxiety and a problem with his hand.

Actors involved

If we look at the actors involved, we see that there are:

• Julia, the ambitious young colleague: she complained to the editor-in-chief (Bernard) about Cédric's behavior.
• The HRD who, faced with Cédric's request for mobility not very convincing, turns to Bernard to try to understand the meaning of his approach
• The attending physician
• The occupational doctor that Cédric ended up meeting
• Cedric of course

Attempts at solutions

Definition of the concept

In our jargon, attempted solutions are complexity reducers. But, if these attempts at solutions become dysfunctional, they contribute to install the problem or problems, to anchor them without any real chance of improvement. It is then that the resources mobilized by the individual or individuals concerned become limits. We say that the problem is the solution.

The attempted solutions implemented in this case

What does Cedric do?

• He says nothing about what he thinks, feels, silences his indignation at Julia's impatience. Remember that it must produce news even in the absence of information.
• He conceals personal insecurities, tends to constantly make compromises by telling himself “I'm counted on”, “everyone is counting on me” at work as well as at home.
• At the same time, he tends to reassure himself by rationalizing: “we will eventually find a solution”.
• He is understanding towards his colleague; he is conciliatory.

Cédric has expectations: to be strong at all costs, to avoid negative reactions, to set no limits.

All this is costly, naturally weakens it.

And he thus traps himself, locks himself in a vicious circle until wear, disgust, exhaustion.

Our diagnosis

When we intervene, Cédric is in an imminent burnout situation.
We will do a coaching of 5 sessions with him in order to:

• Reframing your mobility request; “the best way to leave is to be able to stay”
• Reframing Cédric's weaknesses and limits
• Teach him to be better in relation: more adapted attitude and control of it

Testimony of Cédric after the 5 sessions

• I am no longer in the rush for mobility but ready to think about it
• I changed my relationship to time by avoiding the very short term
• I wanted to control everything; I now accept being less perfect. To do this, I relate differently to others