Burnout Syndrome

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress related to work life. Although it is not recognized as a medical condition or mental disorder, as it is not included in diagnostic manuals, the World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an important occupational phenomenon in the category of factors affecting health status.

In the past, burnout mainly affected older executives of large companies. However, in the last 2 decades with intense socio-economic changes, combined with events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, they have transformed everyday life on a global level and now affect many young people, for example students, even students. Modern lifestyles have drastically affected the work-life balance, enhanced the presence of stressors through increased expectations and demands, and as a result, burnout has skyrocketed.

The symptoms of occupational burnout syndrome

Before someone reaches burnout, there are various indicators that act like a bell and warn that the person is on the verge. These symptoms can manifest in 4 main areas: Physical, Emotional, Cognitive and Behavioral.

The first symptoms of burnout may be mild fatigue, occasional trouble sleeping, and the person feeling like they really don't want to go back to work. The next phase is accompanied by exhaustion, mood swings, a drop in performance and concentration, depression and anxiety, and secondarily by problems in relationships and a drop in self-esteem.

Physical symptoms

• Sleep Disorders

• Fatigue

• frequent headaches / migraines

• Discomfort with eating

• Digestive problems

• Memory and concentration disorders

• Decreased performance

Emotional symptoms

• Mild irritation during work overload

• Bad mood

• Mental exhaustion

• Loss of enthusiasm at work, but also in personal life

• Indifference or negative attitude towards work

• Feeling that the person is not valued

• Intense disappointment

• Depression

• State of stress

Cognitive symptoms

• Difficulty concentrating

• Inability to maintain attention

• Negative thought patterns

Behavioral symptoms

• Procrastination

• Reduced productivity at work

• Withdrawal from social interactions or activities

The stages of burnout syndrome

Burnout syndrome usually has four phases:

1. Mild dissatisfaction – there is not yet full awareness that something is wrong, but the person is slightly irritated because they are overworked.

2. Unconscious ignoring of the problem – thoughts and feelings become increasingly unpleasant, dissatisfaction can also manifest itself by transferring the bad mood to the environment. The person unconsciously resists the symptoms.

3. Conscious Numbness – the symptoms of burnout such as exhaustion, anxiety and stress begin to appear. The person consciously tries to numb these unpleasant situations, but this does not solve the problem.

4. Trauma – burnout syndrome becomes chronic, panic attacks, complete physical and mental exhaustion may occur.

It is ideal to treat burnout syndrome in the first stage to prevent the problem from developing further. It is important to note that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that one will develop burnout, but they may indicate increased vulnerability or risk. Recognizing and addressing these signs can be vital to preventing burnout and promoting a person's overall well-being.

The causes of occupational burnout

The most common causes of occupational burnout syndrome are mainly divided into 3 areas: the work, the lifestyle and the individual's personality:

Work-related reason

• Feeling little or no control at work

• Lack of recognition or reward for achievements

• Unclear or overly demanding job expectations

• Doing work that is monotonous or unchallenging

• Work in a chaotic or high pressure environment

Lifestyle-related causes

• Long working hours, not enough time for socializing or relaxing

• Lack of close, supportive relationships

• Taking on too many responsibilities, without enough help from another

• Lack of sleep

Causes related to the person's personality

• Tendencies of perfectionism

• Pessimistic view of self and the rest of the world.

• The need to be in control, reluctance to delegate responsibilities to others.

The treatment of burnout syndrome

Strategies for managing burnout may include setting boundaries, seeking support, self-care, and making changes to reduce stressors. Employers, colleagues, friends and family members can play a key role in supporting people experiencing burnout symptoms by providing encouragement and assistance in accessing appropriate support services. The most important thing is prevention and to keep in mind that no job is more important than our physical and mental health.