BURNOUT

Burnout syndrome results from unmanageable chronic workplace stress. It doesn’t happen immediately. Signs and symptoms can be subtle at first, such as energy depletion or feelings of negativism to the job. But the longer they go unaddressed, the stronger they grow, eventually becoming overwhelming. The knock-on effects of this can lead to a breakdown - both in terms of mental health and career.

Burnout is the result of a prolonged period of stress which negatively affects your wellbeing. The signs and symptoms may be subtle at first, but can progressively deteriorate and become overwhelming. These include:

STRESS AT WORK - BURNOUT

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

  • Emotions feel blunted

  • Helplessness / hopelessness

  • Becoming tearful

  • Irritable

  • Numbness

  • Feeling unfulfilled

  • Feeling unappreciated

Stress is the body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure.

When we are stressed, our body releases a hormone called adrenaline (often called the "fight or flight" hormone), which usually gives us a boost or motivates us to act quickly.

But too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships – especially when it feels out of our control. It can make us feel anxious and irritable, and affect our self-esteem.

Experiencing long-term stress or severe stress can lead to feeling physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called "burnout".

(source: www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk)

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

  • Disengagement

  • Social withdrawal

  • Loss of commitment

  • Uncharacteristic mistakes

  • Lack of holiday planning

  • Being inconsistent with work

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

  • Muscle pains

  • Headaches

  • Tiredness / lethargy

  • Sleeping problems

  • Memory problems

  • Lack of concentration

  • Weight gain / loss