Embracing Freedom: Healing Moral Injury

As the 4th of July approaches, I am vacationing on the family farm where I grew up. The irony of life strikes me—how, as children, we yearn for the independence adulthood promises, yet as adults, we long for the simplicity of our youth. Memories of catching fireflies, playing with the family dog, and riding the four-wheeler along hidden wooded paths come flooding back, bringing a sense of carefree joy that feels worlds away from the responsibilities of today.?

It's been a week since I presented my webinar, "Resilience in Healthcare: Navigating Moral Injury and Burnout." Although primarily targeted at healthcare professionals, I opened it up to a broader audience because burnout and moral distress are universal issues. Regardless of one's industry, many can relate to the diminishing passion for their work, replaced by exhaustion and a sense of duty.

Moral distress and sometimes moral injury are equally disheartening. In every profession, people are asked to do things that conflict with their moral code, leading to significant stress and emotional turmoil. Whether you are a CFO, legal counsel, or social worker, everyone has someone to answer to, and this dynamic can force individuals into an internal battle between their personal value system and the orders commanded to them.?

Moral injury in healthcare, often comes with a double-edged sword where no decision seems optimal for all parties involved. We are taught to ‘do no harm,’ but unfortunately, we forget that we are part of the collective. No harm should be done to us, and when you ask anyone, regardless of the role they perform, to act against their conscience, you are indeed harming them psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually, which can lead to the physical manifestations of self-harm. ?

Pain is tricky that way. It often doesn’t hurt just one part of the person but affects the overall individual and their personal and/or professional development. Another conundrum about pain is that some pain never truly leaves you. Sometimes, the wound is so deep that though you may look better on the outside, you have never honestly forgotten the initial pain of the heart-crushing wound.?

There is a diagnosis known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, commonly known as Heartbreak Syndrome. It mimics a heart attack, in which the heart muscle is temporarily weakened to the point of chest pain, shortness of breath, and sometimes arrhythmias. It is brought on by severe emotional distress. The person experiencing it rarely forgets that fear-laden pain, reminding us that deep psychological wounds can have tangible physical effects that seem near impossible to heal.

How can we heal from such deep-seated anguish? Stress management is crucial, but personal reflection, forgiveness, and continuous affirmation are also vital. Moral injury, though different from Heartbreak Syndrome, is a hidden affliction that many endure in silence.

This Independence Day, as we celebrate the freedoms hard-won by countless men and women, I urge you to also celebrate your personal freedom. Embrace the liberty to make decisions that prioritize your health and well-being. Put your oxygen mask on first so you can continue to care for those around you. Be brave enough to make choices you can live with; this is, after all, the essence of the freedom we are graciously afforded today and every day.