Happiness + Compassion

Question 1

What are the 3 types of happiness?

Answer 1

1. Calm/contentment = feeling safe (GABA, serotonin, opioids)
2. Excitement/drive = unstable + euphoric happiness, arousal/pleasure, hedonic pleasure, dopamine
3. Connection/compassion = highest form, sustainable, internally reignited, eudaimonic pleasure

Question 2

What are positive psychology interventions? (7)

Answer 2

Mindfulness = emotional fitness + living in the present
Gratitude
Empathy/compassion = focussing on other’s happiness
Religion/spirituality
Coping strategies
Committing to goals
Cultivating positive mind states

Question 3

What is empathy + what part of the brain is involved?

Answer 3

Recognising another beings emotional state - uses the inferior parietal cortex

Question 4

What is compassion + what parts of the brain does it use?

Answer 4

Empathy + a wanting to alleviate suffering

Dorsolateral PFC + nucleus accumbens

Question 5

What are the 4 barriers to compassion?

Answer 5

Burnout/fatigue
Difficult patient/family
External distraction
Clinical complexity

Question 6

What doctor factors can enhance compassion?

Answer 6

Addressing burnout + fatigue
Motivations + daily acts of kindness
Mindfulness + compassion training protocols

Question 7

What clinical factors reduce/enhance compassion

Answer 7

Challenge Ig clinical scenarios + in a ‘thinking’ state
Patients who do not improve
Need to be aware, talk it through with colleagues + go back to being actively present

Question 8

What system factors reduce/enhance compassion

Answer 8

Reduce = distractions, calls, interruptions, unsustainable schedule, bullying/discrimination
Enhance = changes in practice routines, working with management, not allowing to be bullied