28/08/2025

THURSDAY | AUG 28, 2025

11

Time to reclaim the sound of silence

S ILENCE once arrived without effort. It was there on long bus rides with nothing but the scenery to notice, in evenings broken only by the eight o’clock news and around family tables where conversation unfolded without interruption. Today, silence is almost extinct. Phones buzz before sunrise, messages M I

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arrive past midnight and we carry an endless stream of updates, reminders and opinions in our pockets. The question is no longer whether we have enough time but whether we have any space left in our minds. One of the main psychological patterns contributing to this overload is known as “continuous partial attention”. Unlike multitasking, which is switching between tasks, continuous partial attention is the habit of constantly scanning for the next alert or message. It keeps the brain in a state of low-level vigilance – always “on” but never fully focused. Over time, these fragmented thoughts erode memory and concentration. What feels like responsiveness is, in reality, a state of constant distraction. Another condition is “information fatigue syndrome” – the stress and confusion caused by processing too much data. Anyone who belongs to dozens of WhatsApp groups – family, office, school and neighbourhood – knows this sensation. Instead of clarity, the result is paralysis, exhaustion and sometimes withdrawal. Far from keeping us informed, this flood of input overwhelms our ability to think clearly. Third is “nomophobia”, the fear of being without a phone or internet connection. It is not yet formally recognised as a disorder but it is increasingly common. Checking the phone obsessively, anxiety when the battery runs low or discomfort in silence are all symptoms. The unease many feel when separated from their devices is not just boredom but a form of anxiety. These conditions feed one another. Continuous partial attention keeps the mind restless while information fatigue drains mental energy and nomophobia prevents us from breaking the cycle. The consequences extend beyond stress. Sleep is disrupted, cognitive performance declines and emotions become harder to regulate. Neuroscience shows that when the brain is constantly stimulated, it struggles to enter the restorative states needed for memory THE recent revelation of a doctor’s appalling living conditions in Sabah – after years of battling severe depression brought on by workplace bullying – is, sadly, not as shocking as it ought to be. This is just another troubling reminder of the lack of compassion and empathy within Malaysia’s healthcare sector. As a society, we seem to revere medical doctors as symbols of intelligence, status and professional success. Yet despite this admiration, kindness is not a trait often associated with doctors in Malaysia – though it should be, especially for those who dedicate their lives to healing. While doctors are often recognised for their intelligence, intellect alone does not make a good doctor. Compassion, empathy and humanity are equally vital, and when these qualities are lacking, the entire system suffers. Workplace bullying, particularly among junior doctors in Malaysia, is a widespread issue. A recent scientific study has shed light on just how prevalent this problem truly is. In 2021, a team of researchers from UiTM, UM and UKM published a study involving 1,074 junior doctors from 12 government hospitals across COMMENT by Dr Jazli Aziz

In times of rapid change and rising mental health pressures, the ability to pause and think clearly is not a luxury but a necessity. – BERNAMAPIC

later and to not always be reachable is a cultural shift. It reframes rest as a precondition for clarity and compassion. In this sense, choosing silence is an act of defiance. In a world that profits from distraction, switching off is a way of reclaiming ownership of attention. It is a reminder that our worth is not measured by the speed of our replies or the number of notifications we can absorb; each pause – at the table, in the commute, before sleep – trains the mind to return to itself. Being less reactive, more present and fully human – when practiced collectively – can create ripples that extend through families, workplaces and communities. DrPraveena Rajendra is a certified mental health and awareness practitioner specialising in narcissistic abuse recovery. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com alongside academic metrics. Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has promised that new guidelines will be launched in October to curb the use of hurtful or offensive language, which will be classified as a form of workplace bullying, in government hospitals and clinics. Although the Health Ministry’s online portal for reporting cases of workplace bullying, MyHELP, was launched back in 2022, there must be a strong commitment from the ministry to thoroughly investigate submitted reports and take action against bullies in the healthcare sector. The healthcare sector is meant to be a safe place not just for patients but for healthcare practitioners as well. We cannot expect compassionate care from doctors if they, especially the juniors, are subjected to workplace bullying every day. A good doctor should not only be intelligent but also kind to everyone, including peers and subordinates. As Malaysians, we always consider kindness as one of our biggest strengths. There is no reason why this should not be true of our healthcare sector as well. DrJazli Aziz is with the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Another practice is to set “windows” for checking group chats instead of reacting instantly to every alert. This reduces false urgency and retrains the nervous system to rest. Even commutes can become pauses. One ride without earphones or scrolling becomes a chance to notice the city and let thoughts settle. And before bed, five minutes of stillness with no input can reset the day and prepare the mind for genuine rest. Silence matters beyond personal well-being. A society addicted to noise becomes reactive and shallow in its decisions. In times of rapid change and rising mental health pressures, the ability to pause and think clearly is not a luxury but a necessity. Yet, many of us are conditioned to equate fast replies with care or competence. Technology magnifies this until constant availability becomes a form of servitude. Allowing ourselves and others to pause, to reply Furthermore, a lack of willingness among those in power to take action against such perpetrators leaves junior doctors disillusioned with a profession meant to promote care and healing. Emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion are critical in the medical field, yet for some reason these traits are lacking among some medical professionals. Despite the misguided justifications given in an attempt to minimise the impact of workplace bullying, the costs are substantial. Constant bullying and a harsh working environment can lead to burnout and depression, reducing job performance and leaving a heavy mental, emotional and physical toll on victims. Ultimately, the healthcare system will lose out on qualified medical professionals who quit due to the pressure exerted on them from workplace bullying. Even those who try to tough it out may end up being hostile and combative due to their toxic workplace. Ultimately, when doctors are hurting and the healthcare system takes a toll, patients are affected too. The good news is that this problem can be fixed if everyone does their part. Institutes of higher learning and medical educators need to emphasise the importance of empathy, compassion, communication and humanity. Assessment must include evaluating emotional intelligence

consolidation and creativity. The very tools meant to connect us are eroding the clarity we need to live well. The good news is that silence, though endangered, can be reclaimed. Silence is not emptiness; it is nourishment. Just as soil regains fertility when left to rest, the mind recovers clarity when given a pause. During quiet moments, the brain’s default mode activates, allowing for deeper processing, emotional balance and creative insight. Far from being wasted time, silence is when the mind does its most important work. Reclaiming silence does not require drastic retreats; it begins with simple, deliberate choices. A meal without phones can restore attention to the people in front of us. At first the absence of buzzing feels strange but quickly conversations deepen and humour surfaces more naturally. central Malaysia. They found that one in 10 junior doctors reported being bullied at work – though this figure is likely an underestimation. Reported forms of bullying included humiliation, ridicule, gossip, verbal abuse and unmanageable workloads – occurring as frequently as weekly or even daily for many doctors. Why do some in the healthcare sector perpetuate such toxic behaviour towards their juniors? One theory suggests that the power, prestige and respect tied to the medical profession may attract individuals with negative personality traits. For example, teenagers who display narcissistic behaviour or a sense of entitlement may be drawn to high-status professions like medicine in pursuit of admiration. Studies have linked narcissism in the workplace to bullying but this is likely only part of the problem. In Malaysian culture, excessive emphasis on seniority and titles can often lead to abusive behaviour being overlooked or normalised. Out of fear of repercussions, few dare to speak up even when they know such behaviour is wrong. Even when someone does speak up, they may be brushed off due to our tidak apa attitude. Phrases like “we went through this, so you must too” are commonly used to justify workplace bullying while “don’t tarnish the hospital’s reputation” serves to silence potential whistleblowers.

Beneath the white coat: Bullying, burnout and a broken system