What is Burnout?

Burnout is a term that has become increasingly common in recent years but do you know exactly what it means? While burnout is often associated with work-related stress, it can affect anyone, regardless of your profession, lifestyle, or personal circumstances. Understanding what burnout truly means is critical for anyone looking to maintain their mental and emotional well-being.

Defining Burnout

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It usually happens when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands over a long period of time, leading to a decrease in motivation and productivity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies burnout as an "occupational phenomenon," emphasising that it is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. However, it’s important to recognise that burnout can stem from various life aspects, including family responsibilities, caregiving, and social pressures.

Although related, burnout is not the same as stress. Some stress in our lives is expected and can help us perform well. Burnout happens when we are subject to continual stress which, over time, becomes more than our ability to manage it.

You can think of it as a set of scales with every day stressors on one side and your resilience and ability to manage those stressors on the other. Most of the time you have the strength and mental wellness to manage what life throws at you so the scale remains balanced or even tips in favor of wellness. However, over time if the every day stressors get too much or your resilience is degraded, the scales can tip in the other direction, resulting in burnout.

Burnout on the Rise

Burnout is now a significant societal concern with The Mental Health UK Burnout Report warning that the UK is on the verge of becoming a “burnt out nation”. It reports that 91% of adults they spoke to in the UK said they experienced high or extreme pressure or stress at some point in the past year. So, if you are feeling this way, know you are not alone.

The rise of burnout is often attributed to multiple factors, including increased workplace pressures, the blurring of boundaries between personal and professional life, and the influence of technology. However, the truth is no one knows why burnout has had such a rapid rise in recent years.

Symptoms of Burnout

Identifying burnout can be hard. The symptoms are wide and varied and there are many common features with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. The symptoms often develop gradually, creeping up on you, making it easy for you to dismiss each one as unconnected or temporary.

You may recognise that feeling of exhaustion but being unable to sleep, being overwhelmed, irritable, unable to get things done as you used to. Or maybe you know you need a break but when you take one you are unable to relax, or when you finally do, it just never seems long enough. Maybe you have started to feel a sense of detachment from your own life or can’t seem to get the same enjoyment in things. These are all symptoms of burnout.

Other common symptoms are:

• Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling drained and unable to cope, with a persistent sense of tiredness that affects daily activities.

  
  

• Cynicism and Detachment: Developing a negative attitude towards work or life, often accompanied by feelings of disconnectedness from others.

  
  

• Reduced Performance: A noticeable decrease in productivity and effectiveness, leading to feelings of incompetence and inadequacy.

  
  

• Physical Symptoms: Manifesting as headaches, digestive issues, or changes in sleep patterns, these physical effects are often linked to chronic stress.

  
  

• Social Withdrawal: Isolating yourself from friends and family, reflecting a desire to detach from responsibilities and obligations.

  
  

It’s important to understand that experiencing some of these signs occasionally does not mean you are experiencing burnout. However, awareness is critical so you can recognise when you might be at risk.

Conclusion

Burnout is complex and it can significantly affect your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Understanding its symptoms is vital for both recognising it in yourself and supporting others who may be experiencing it.