One of the dangers that the path of life contains, especially for those who work too much, is Burnout Syndrome. In fact, we very rarely see it coming and when we realize it it is because we are already totally exhausted. However, the best strategy to prevent this problem is to learn to identify the first signs of Burnout Syndrome and stop in time, pause to reassess our priorities and, only then, get back on track.
What is Burnout Syndrome?
Burnout Syndrome or Professional Burnout Syndrome is very recent in the history of Psychology. It dates back to 1974, the year in which the psychiatrist Freudenberger coined it. From this moment on, I could say without fear of being wrong that this new pathology has had a wonderful acceptance in scientific circles, with the most diverse studies being developed to delve deeper into its causes and treatments.
Many specialists consider it as a rather atypical final phase of work stress, although they point out that once the syndrome is established it cannot be reduced to the framework of work stress for two essential reasons: 1. because a certain dose of work stress can facilitate the work of many people really acting as an incentive, evidently referring to work eustress and; 2. because we are normally aware of the work stress to which we are subjected while the degree of awareness that the person has about Burnout Syndrome is very low, in fact they normally deny a good part of its symptoms.
Seven premonitory signs that you should not ignore
Basically, Burnout Syndrome is a state of chronic stress that leads to psychological and physical exhaustion, causes feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment, and often generates cynical attitudes and detached behaviors.
The main signs of Burnout Syndrome that can put you on alert are:
1. The loss of the ability to enjoy. At first, this inability to enjoy pleasant things can be very mild and usually manifests itself through signs such as not wanting to go to work or being anxious to leave. However, little by little this behavior spreads to the rest of the areas of life and we also lose the desire to spend time with family and friends.
2. Pessimism. In the early phases, the most common thing is that there are days when you see the glass half empty and others when you see it half full. As time goes by, pessimism sets in definitively and becomes a lens through which you begin to value the world and not just your work. Thus, you begin to think that you can’t count on anyone.
3. Isolation. It almost always presents as a slight resistance to socialization. For example, you don’t want to go out to lunch with work colleagues, you avoid parties, or you try to arrive and leave on time to avoid interactions. Little by little, this resistance to socializing extends to the most intimate sphere and, before you know it, your friends and family begin to bother you so you distance yourself more and more from them.
4. Detachment. It begins as a vague sensation of feeling disconnected from others and/or the environment. It’s not simply that you avoid people but that you feel alien to what is happening around you, as if situations had no emotional value, as if you were an empty shell.
5. Feelings of apathy and hopelessness. To the same extent that pessimism and detachment grow, feelings of apathy and hopelessness are generated. That is, everything doesn’t matter to you. At first you will notice that you don’t care too much about the quality of the work or delivering on time. Later, these feelings of indolence are transferred to your intimate life and you begin to behave apathetically with the people you love.
6. Lack of productivity. Incomplete projects piling up, a huge to-do list and a strong tendency to procrastinate are the main signs of lack of effectiveness at work.
7. Irritability. Burnout Syndrome creates a vicious circle, to the same extent that you feel more isolated and apathetic, your productivity decreases and that generates more stress and irritability. You may notice this because you often overreact to environmental stimuli.
Regarding the eminently physical symptoms, headaches, insomnia, pain, gastrointestinal disorders, tachycardia are observed… All of this results in addictive behaviors, increased consumption of coffee, alcohol, pharmaceuticals or illegal drugs.
Currently, four stages of evolution have been established, although it is worth clarifying that these do not always present well-defined contours:
– Mild form: those affected present vague and non-specific physical symptoms such as headaches, back pain or low back pain. The person becomes inoperative.
– Moderate form: insomnia and attention deficit appear. The person begins with self-medication.
– Severe form: increases absenteeism, aversion to the task and cynicism. You begin to abuse alcohol, psychotropic drugs or any other drug.
– Extreme form: social isolation is evident and an existential crisis occurs. Major depression may appear and therefore, the risk of suicidal behavior increases.
Who is affected by Burnout Syndrome?
In the scientific literature, reference has been made to many possible characteristics that would make some people more likely to suffer from this syndrome; ranging from some personological characteristics to other factors such as being married or having children. However, currently the consensus is directed towards two primary factors: age and gender.
In relation to age, it is considered that there may be a period of awareness marked by the first years of the professional career; a stage in which the professional would be especially vulnerable since the transition from idealistic expectations to everyday practice occurs; learning that the personal, professional and economic rewards are neither those promised nor those expected.
When it comes to gender, women are particularly vulnerable. Psychologists affirm that this prevalence is due to the fact that women normally assume a double daily burden, that of work and that intrinsic to their domestic roles.
But… what causes Burnout Syndrome?
As you can imagine, the causes that give rise to Burnout Syndrome are very varied; Some studies point to work conflicts maintained over time, role ambiguity, stressful events, work overload and pressures. Although this syndrome has been widely studied in high-performance athletes and health personnel, the truth is that currently its incidence is extended to other professions such as the area of education and in reality it is not only the working conditions that affect the appearance of the syndrome but how we experience these conflicts and working conditions.
Thus, other psychologists prefer to talk about a process where the person is exposed to significant work deterioration but at the same time there is a loss of idealism and passion for work caused by a lack of achievements.
What to do?
If you are in the early stages of Bornout Syndrome, take a break. It is advisable to take a few days of vacation so that you can regain your balance. During this time, reflect on your priorities in life and, when you return to your daily routine, try to find quality time for yourself.
It is true that on many occasions we do not have the necessary tools to avoid the stress that occurs at work, but when we get home, it is important to shake off that tension. Because otherwise, it will accumulate and not only destabilize you psychologically but can also cause physical damage.
References:
López, C. (2004) Síndrome de burnout. Revista Mexicana de Anestesiología; 27(1): 131-133.
Atance, J. C. (1997) Aspectos epidemiológicos del Síndrome de Burnout en personal sanitario. Revista Española de Salud Pública; 71(3): 293-303.
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