Professional personality deformation (profdeformation)

 

Professional personality deformation (profdeformation) is a distortion of the perception of the world, behavior and values that occurs under the influence of professional activity. A person begins to see himself, events and processes only through the prism of his professional competence, which makes it difficult to switch to other aspects of life.

Reasons

Some factors contributing to the development of professional deformation:

- Monotony of work. The constant repetition of the same type of tasks narrows the horizons and reduces the flexibility of thinking. - High levels of stress and responsibility. Stressful work and constant pressure cause emotional burnout, decreased empathy. - Isolation from other areas of life. When a profession takes up most of one's life, one loses interest in other activities. - Lack of growth and learning. The lack of new knowledge and skills leads to stagnation and stereotyped thinking. - The specifics of the work. Some professions require special qualities or ways of thinking from a person that may be incompatible with everyday life.

Kinds

There are several types of professional personality deformations:

- General professional. Changes that are typical for most representatives of a particular profession. - Special ones. They arise from specialists working in narrow fields and are associated with unique aspects of their activities. - Professional and typological. They develop when the individual characteristics of a person's personality are superimposed on a specific profession. - Individualized. It depends on the characteristics or working conditions of each person, manifested in unique changes.

Effects

Some consequences of professional personality deformation:

- Emotional burnout. A person loses interest in activities, becomes less emotionally involved, and experiences chronic fatigue. - Cynicism and negativism. A person may consider their work meaningless or unimportant, which reduces motivation and worsens relationships in the team. - Reduced professional skills. Constant work in one direction without the possibility of development and training can lead to stagnation of skills. - Changing value orientations. A person may begin to perceive their job as the only meaning of life, which leads to ignoring other important aspects (family, friends, hobbies). - Social isolation. Getting involved in work can lead to less time spent with loved ones. - Health problems. Prolonged exposure to stressful factors and emotional burnout can lead to various physical illnesses.

Methods of prevention

- Self-reflection and awareness are recommended for the prevention of professional personality deformity . It is important to regularly analyze your emotions, thoughts, and behavior at work to identify the first signs of deformity. - Harmonization of work and personal spheres. You need to pay attention to hobbies, interests, and time for family and friends in order to reduce stress and increase resources for professional activities. - Health care. Proper nutrition, physical activity and healthy sleep are all important components of maintaining psychological balance. - Development of communication skills. Improving communication skills and setting boundaries will help you interact more effectively with colleagues, clients, and partners. - Support and consulting. Timely referral to a psychologist can help resolve accumulated emotional and professional problems, as well as develop strategies to prevent deformity.