The Burnout Syndrome

The burn out or burnt out syndrome is characterized by excessive emotional fatigue resulting from overworking and chronic stress.  Consequently the patient can’t function or work and fulfill responsibilities.

Risk Factors for burning out:

•   Overworking long-term and overtime 

•   Inadequate or absent financial and moral job satisfaction 

•   Loss of or lack of sense of belonging to workplace

•   Feelings of injustice

•   Conflict of values

Phases

•     Improving self-efficacy and working hours to prove value for the workplace

•      Trying to prove that one is indispensable 

•      Ignoring vital necessities such as sleeping and nutrition, ignoring family/friend relationships

•      Feeling that something is not going right

•      Emotional blunting

•      Changes in priorities

•      Spending more time alone

•      Withdrawing into oneself, despair

•      Feeling of worthlessness

•      Feeling of emptiness and attempting to replace this feeling with sex and other addictions

•      Depression, exhaustion, loss of hope, questioning the meaning of life, reduced emotional energy and excessive fatigue

Findings

•  Emotional energy loss, fatigue, body and stomach pain 

•  Decreased motivation

•  Negative feelings towards the job and colleagues

•  Reduced performance

•  Concentration and memory problems

What to do

•  Starting the day with a relaxing shower and meditation or yoga

 •   Follow a healthy diet

 •    Exercising during the day (walking, yoga)

 •    Tackle sleep disorders

 •    Learn to draw borders

 •    Creating a fulfilling living space outside of work

 •    Participate in voluntary activities

 •    Move away from technology, leading a technology free (as much as possible) life

 •    Take frequent and short holidays

 •    Seek professional psychological help

 •    Psychotherapy

 •    Cognitive therapy

Differential Diagnosis

 •    Depression

 •    Anxiety

 •    Chronic fatigue syndrome

 •    Adrenal insufficiency