Tonje Skinnarland (54) lay awake at night brooding for a long time. She worked a lot and hard. She also worked at weekends and in the evenings. – I worked an awful lot. It was unhealthy. When I also couldn’t sleep, I hit the wall, says Skinnarland to news. She was on sick leave, but did not experience getting the right help at first. – Instead of spending time getting better, I went to the basement. Everything just got worse. After a few weeks, her family insisted that urgent help was needed. In April this year, she was hospitalized for a month. – The emergency service was experienced as very good and professional. I am very satisfied with the treatment I received there, says Skinnarland. After a few months, she tried to return to work, but after a short time had to call in sick again. – It was too sudden. I tried too fast and too much. Tonje Skinnarland is a Norwegian military air officer with the rank of major general. The picture was taken in connection with a lecture in 2020. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB Balanse At work, she has a great responsibility. Last year, Skinnarland became head of operations in the Defense Staff, that is to say the strategic level in the Armed Forces. From 2016 to last year, she was head of the Air Force. She was the first female head of the Air Force. Skinnarland has learned that she must set clear boundaries between work and free time. She didn’t have that to the same extent before. – It is important to have a balance between work and leisure. In addition, I shouldn’t make such high demands on myself. I have to be able to be satisfied that something is “good enough”. Tonje Skinnarland Born 21 December 1967 Is a Norwegian military air officer with the rank of major general From 2016 to 2021 she was head of the Air Force Last year she was ordered to serve as head of the operations department in the Defense Staff Source: Store norske lexikon Openness Her experience is that it pays off to be open. It can give a lot of positive response that warms, at the same time it can lower people’s threshold to seek help. – There are more people struggling than we think. There is no shame in struggling mentally, but unfortunately it is still shameful, she says. In retrospect, she has realized that the problems had built up over time. She stood until she couldn’t take it anymore. – I should have seen the signals earlier, she says of the time before she was admitted to the emergency department. Signs of burnout According to specialist in clinical work psychology, Ingrid Blø Olsen, irritation, low mood, panic attacks and pain can be signs of burnout. – It is often the sum of stress factors at work and in private life that over time cause symptoms. The body’s stress symptoms are normal reactions and may be a sign that you need to make some changes, says Olsen. Other signs can be a lot of worry and brooding and that you avoid social settings. Psychologist and researcher Ingrid Blø Olsen. Photo: Privat Risk factors for burnout can be vulnerability to perfectionism and self-criticism, time pressure, too high a workload and a lack of feedback from your manager. Having experienced childhood trauma and bullying can also make you vulnerable to burnout. – When people are burnt out, they often feel that they are stuck, but that passes, says Olsen. 100 per cent on sick leave Skinnarland is moving forward slowly but surely. Since May, she has been attending therapy sessions with a military psychologist, which she greatly appreciates. The aim is to gradually start working again. At the moment, she is 100 per cent on sick leave. It is burnout with depression that she struggles with. – I have to use the time to help and come back gradually. It’s hard to say when I’m ready to start working full time, says Skinnarland. Tonje Skinnarland will give a lecture at the Oslo Military Society in 2020. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB In the second quarter of this year, the country’s sick leave percentage was 6.54, according to Statistics Norway. There was a percentage change of minus 7.6 from the previous quarter. Skinnarland receives medical follow-up through DPS, but is also on the waiting list for an assessment interview for group therapy. – I don’t know if it’s the help I need, but I’m curious about how it works. I encourage everyone to seek help if they need it. Psychologist Ingrid Blø Olsen’s tip: If you are burnt out you should: Limit useless rumination and worry. Cut back on duties and reduce the demands on yourself. Do activities you find fun and map out what gives you energy. Practice boundary setting. Seek support in your network, it often helps to talk to someone. Talk to your employer about arrangements and factors at work that need to be changed. If you are called off sick, it is a good idea to keep in touch with the workplace. Full sick leave should be short-term and used for more severe burnout. Sometimes changing jobs can be the best solution.
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– I met the wall – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
