Burnout

Overview

Burnout refers to an emotional and physical state of exhaustion caused by a situation of prolonged stress, most commonly at work. It is usually perfectionists with a strong sense of duty who tend to develop burnout. Preventive measures include a balanced lifestyle with sufficient sleep and exercise, social contact and relaxation.

Symptoms

• Physical and emotional exhaustion
• Sleep disorders
• Distant, indifferent attitude to the job (in contrast to previous high levels of dedication and commitment)
• Feeling like a professional and personal failure
• Loss of belief in one’s own abilities
• Feeling of helplessness and loss of control
• Lethargy
• Headaches, muscle tenseness
• Increased sweating, heart palpitations
• Physical weakness
• Digestive disorders
• Sluggish libido

Complications associated with one-sided or late treatment, or a lack of treatment:

• Incapacity to work
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Typical personality traits
  • Very high expectations of yourself, perfectionism
  • Strong sense of duty
• Permanent situation of mental overload or underload (which is called “boreout”)
• Feeling of being treated unfairly
• Fear of losing your job
• Work-related stress
• Bullying at work
• Chronic, unsolved conflicts (in both private as well as professional life)

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Recording of medical history, including professional and family situation
• Various questionnaires
• Laboratory tests (to exclude physical cause or disease)

Possible therapies

• Dictated by the individual's circumstances
• Often patients need to totally rethink their life, with support from a professional
• For severe symptoms of depression: medication-based support may be useful
• Various relaxation therapies and alternative medical practices (see below)

What can I do myself?

• Balanced lifestyle
• Sufficient sleep
• Healthy diet
• Sufficient exercise
• Good balance between exertion and relaxation
• Keep up social contacts
• Mindful observation of own physical and emotional needs
• Learn relaxation techniques
• Acquire self-esteem
• Rethink the work situation
• If necessary, talk to supervisor to clear up uncertainties

Try out different forms of therapy:

• Active stress management training / stress management
• Autogenic training
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Tai chi, qigong
• Craniosacral therapy, neural therapy
• Massage
• Hydrotherapy (e.g. Kneipp therapy)
• Acupuncture
• Pilates

When to see a doctor?

• Suicidal thoughts, thoughts about not wanting to live any more
• Long period of being in low spirits
• Feeling of lacking energy, exhaustion
• Inability to experience joy
• Constant irritability
• Inability to take decisions
• Self-doubt, low sense of self-worth
• Sleep disorders
• Persistent feeling of inner emptiness

Further information

Burnout info
www.burnout-info.ch

Synonyms

burnout syndrome, stress disorder, fatigue syndrome, stress, burnout