Recognizing Burnout
Originally used to describe the consequences of severe stress and high ideals in “helping” professions, burnout may affect individuals in several career fields, from career-driven people to overworked employees, homemakers, and students. According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), burnout is an occupational phenomenon characterized by three dimensions. These dimensions include feelings of ener- gy depletion or exhaustion, reduced professional efficacy, and increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism related to one’s job. Signs and symptoms of burnout There are three main groups of symptoms that are signs of burnout: 1. Exhaustion: Those affected feel drained and emotionally exhausted, unable to cope, tired and down, and don’t have enough energy. Physical symptoms include things such as pain and gastrointestinal problems. 2. Alienation from work-related activities: People who have burnout find their jobs to be increasingly stressful and frustrating. They may start to be cynical about their working conditions and colleagues while also distancing themselves emotionally. 3. Reduced performance: Burnout typically affects everyday tasks at work, at home or when caring for family members. Those impacted are very negative about their tasks, find it hard to concentrate and lack creativity. It is important not to confuse the signs and symptoms of burnout with those for stress or depression. Signs and symptoms that occur in both burnout and depression include feeling down, extremely exhausted and experiencing reduced performance. When seeking help, it is recommended to speak with a medical professional as self-diagnosing may lead to the wrong treatment. In contrast, burnout may be the result of unrelenting stress, but it is not the same thing as too much stress. While stress involves too much, burnout is about not enough. Being burnt out means lack of control, lack of clear job expectations, or work-life im- balance. Most people may feel stress, but burnout develops gradually over time. Causes and consequences of burnout There are several possible causes and consequences of burnout. Specifically, job burnout may result from various factors including: 1. Lack of control: An inability to influence decisions that affect your job — such as your schedule, assignments, or workload —as well as a lack of the resources you need to do your work, could lead to job burnout. 2. Unclear job expectations: If you’re unclear about the degree of authority you have or what your supervisor or others expect from you, then you’re not likely to feel comfortable at work. 3. Dysfunctional workplace dynamics: Perhaps you work with an office bully, feel undermined by colleagues, or your boss micromanages your work. This may contribute to job stress.
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