Burnout Syndrome - How to Detect It and Take Action

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Learning to Identify Burnout Syndrome

Burnout Syndrome (oversaturated or melted) is a type of work stress, a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion that has consequences on self-esteem, and is characterized by a gradual process, by which people lose interest in their tasks, sense of responsibility and can even lead to deep depression.

Burnout is nowadays a very common psychological disorder that affects many workers, and that greatly affects their level of performance, concentration, and therefore their productivity at work and in other areas of daily life.

For this reason, in this article, we tell you everything about burnout, how to identify it and what measures to take in this regard if you or someone you know suffers from it.

What is Burnout Syndrome?

Burnout syndrome is a psychological alteration linked to the work context and that can constitute a disorder due to its harmful effects on the quality of life. As we will see, it has features of both mood disorders (such as depression) and anxiety disorders.

Although it is not currently included in the main psychopathology diagnostic manuals, there is increasing evidence of the characteristics of this phenomenon, which can be used to define it as separate psychopathology from depression and other disorders.

Symptoms of Burnout

• Emotional exhaustion: Professional exhaustion that leads to psychological and physiological exhaustion. There is a loss of energy and physical and mental fatigue.

Emotional exhaustion occurs when having to perform daily and permanent work functions with people who must be attended to as work objects.

• Depersonalization: manifests itself in negative attitudes towards users/customers, and there is increased irritability and loss of motivation. The hardening of relationships can lead to dehumanization in relationships.
• Lack of personal fulfillment: decrease in personal self-esteem, frustration with expectations, and manifestations of stress at the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral levels.

Common causes

The job exhaustion present in Burnout Syndrome can be the result of various factors and can normally occur when conditions occur both at the individual level (referring to their tolerance to stress and frustration, etc.) and the definition of work), work environment, the leadership style of superiors, among others).

1. Lack of control

Inability to influence decisions that affect your job: such as your schedule, assignments, or workload which can lead to job burnout.

2. Unclear job expectations

If you're not sure how much authority you have or what your supervisor or others expect of you, you probably don't feel comfortable at work.

3. Dysfunctional work dynamics

Perhaps you work with a troublemaker at the office, feel slighted by your colleagues, or your boss doesn't pay enough attention to your work.

4. Differences in value

If the values differ from the way your employer does business or handles complaints, the mismatch can take its toll.

5. Unsatisfactory business correspondence

If your job doesn't match your interests and abilities, it can become increasingly stressful over time.

6. The extremes of the activity

When a job is consistently monotonous or chaotic, you need constant energy to stay focused, which can contribute to higher levels of fatigue and burnout at work.

7. Lack of social support

If you feel isolated at work and in your personal life, you may feel more stressed.

8. Imbalance between work, family, and social life

If your job demands a lot of your time and effort and you don't have enough time to spend with family and friends, you can burn out quickly.

Psychological and health effects

Ignoring or not treating burnout can have significant consequences, including:

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• A negative spillover effect on personal relationships or family life.
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse
• Cardiovascular deterioration
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes, especially in women
• Obesity
• Vulnerability to diseases
• Ulcers
• Weightloss
• Muscle pains
• Migraines
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Problems with menstrual cycles

Remember, if you think you might be suffering from burnout, don't ignore your symptoms. See your doctor or mental health professional to identify or rule out underlying health conditions.

Tips for Managing Burnout

If you're worried about burnout at work, you need to take action. To start:

• Manage stressors that contribute to job burnout: Once you've identified what's fueling your burnout symptoms, you can make a plan to resolve the issues.
• Evaluate your options: Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor. Perhaps you can work together to change expectations or come to compromises or solutions.
• Adjust your attitude: If you've become cynical at work, consider ways to improve your perspective. Rediscover the enjoyable aspects of your position.
• Build positive relationships with peers to achieve better results: Take short breaks throughout the day. Spend time out of the office and do the things you love.
• Seek support: Whether it's reaching out to coworkers, friends, loved ones, or others, support and collaboration can help deal with job stress and feelings of burnout. If you have access to an employee assistance program, take advantage of the services available.
• Evaluate your interests, skills, and passions: An honest appraisal can help you decide if you should consider an alternative job, such as one that is less demanding or one that better aligns with your interests or core values.
• Do exercise: Regular physical activity, such as walking or bicycling, can help you better deal with stress. It can also help you disconnect from work and focus on something else.

In short, it's best to keep an open mind as you consider your options, and if you think you're suffering from this syndrome, try to fix it as soon as possible.

Enjoy This Video Tutorial About 6 Signs You’re Burnt Out, Not Lazy

Source: Psych2Go

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