Burnout (Burnout Syndrome): how to detect it and take action

Burnout or Burnout Syndrome is a psychological disorder that affects workers.

The Burnout Syndrome (burnout) is a type of work-related stress, a state of exhaustion a state of physical, emotional or mental exhaustion that has consequences on self-esteem, and is characterized by a process of burnout.It is characterized by a gradual process, by which people lose interest in their tasks, the sense of responsibility and can even reach deep depressions.

What is the Burnout Syndrome?

The syndrome of Burnout, sometimes translated as "Burnout Syndrome", is a psychological disturbance linked to the context of work and which can constitute a disorder due to its harmful effects on the quality of life.. As we shall see, it has characteristics of mood disorders (such as depression) and anxiety disorders.

Although it does not currently appear in the main diagnostic manuals of psychopathologies, there is increasing evidence about the characteristics of this phenomenon, which can be used to know the profile of this disorder as a psychopathology separate from depression and other disorders.

This syndrome was first described in 1969 when the strange behavior of some police officers of that time was observed: agents of authority who showed a particular pattern of symptoms.

In 1974 Freudenberger made the syndrome more popular, and later, in 1986, the American psychologists C. Maslach and S. Jackson defined it as "a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal fulfillment that occurs in those individuals who work in contact with clients and customers".

How does this psychological disorder manifest itself?

The syndrome would be the extreme response to chronic stress originating in the work context and would have repercussions of an individual nature, but it would also affect organizational aspects and but it would also affect organizational and social aspects. Since the 1980s, researchers have not ceased to be interested in this phenomenon, but it was not until the end of the 1990s that there was a certain consensus on its causes and consequences.

One of the general explanatory models is that of Gil-Monte and Peiró (1997), but others such as those of Manassero et al. (2003), Ramos (1999), Matteson and Ivansevich (1997), Peiró et al. (1994) or Leiter (1988), are born to respond to the strategies and intervention techniques necessary to prevent and minimize the effects of a problem that is increasing especially since the beginning of the crisis (Gili, McKee. and Stuckler. 2013). In addition, it has been hypothesized about the possibility that Burnout Syndrome may be one of the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cultural differences in Burnout Syndrome

Even so, and taking into account the advances developed by research in specific fields, there are still different interpretations about the most appropriate type of intervention to correct it: either individual, emphasizing psychological action, or social or organizational, influencing working conditions (Gil-Monte, 2009). Possibly, these discrepancies have their origin in the cultural influence. cultural influence.

The studies by Maslach, Schaufeli and Leiter (2001) found that there are certain qualitative differences in the American and European profiles, since the latter show lower levels of burnout in their work environment. the latter show lower levels of burnout and cynicism.. Regardless of the continent in which you live, there are certain aspects that you should be aware of in order to act in time to prevent or correct it. In this article you will find some keys about this phenomenon. What you learn can help you deal with the problem and take action before it affects your health.

People at risk

You may be more likely to experience Burnout if you meet several of the following characteristics (in the form of signs or symptoms):

• You identify so strongly with work that you lack a reasonable work-life balance.

• You try to be everything to everyone, take on tasks and functions that do not correspond to your position.

• Works in jobs related to work activities that link the worker and his services directly to clients. This does not mean that it cannot occur in other types of work, but in general doctors, nurses, consultants, social workers, teachers, door-to-door salespeople, canvassers, collection officers and many other trades and professions are at greater risk of developing the condition.

• You feel you have little or no control over your work.

• Your work is especially monotonous and uneventful.

Could I be experiencing Burnout at work?

Ask yourself the following questions to find out if you are at risk for Burnout:

• Have you become cynical or critical at work?

• Do you drag yourself to work and often have trouble getting started once you arrive?

• Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers or customers?

• Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?

• Do you lack satisfaction in your accomplishments?

• Do you feel disillusioned with your work?

• Are you consuming excessive food, drugs or alcohol to feel better?

• Have your sleep or appetite habits changed because of your job?

• Are you worried about unexplained headaches, backaches, or other physical problems?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing Burnout.. Be sure to consult with your physician or a mental health professional, however, some of these symptoms may also indicate certain health conditions, such as a Thyroid disorder or depression.

Main symptoms

• Emotional exhaustionEmotional exhaustion: A professional burnout that leads to psychological and physiological exhaustion. There is a loss of energy, physical and psychological fatigue. Emotional exhaustion is produced by having to perform daily work functions and permanently with people to be cared for as objects of work.

• DepersonalizationThis manifests itself in negative attitudes towards users/clients, increased irritability and loss of motivation. The hardening of relationships can lead to dehumanization in the treatment.

• Lack of personal fulfillmentThe following are some of the causes of stress: decrease in personal self-esteem, frustration of expectations and manifestations of stress at physiological, cognitive and behavioral levels.

Causes

The burnout present in Burnout Syndrome can be the result of several factors and can usually occur when there are conditions both at the level of the individual (concerning their tolerance to stress and frustration, etc.) and organizational (deficiencies in job definition, work environment, leadership style of superiors, among others).

The most common causes are the following.

1. Lack of control

An inability to influence decisions that affect your work: such as your schedule, assignments, or workload that could lead to job burnout.

2. Unclear job expectations

If you are unsure about the degree of authority you have or your supervisor or others expect from you, you are not likely to feel comfortable at work.

3. Dysfunctional work dynamics.

Perhaps you work with a confrontational person in the office, feel underappreciated by co-workers, or your boss doesn't pay enough attention to your work.

4. Differences in values

If values differ from the way your employer does business or handles complaints, mismatches can take their toll.

5. Job mismatch

If your job doesn't match your interests and skills, it can become increasingly stressful over time.

6. Extremes of activity

When a job is always monotonous or chaotic, you need constant energy to stay focused, which can contribute to higher levels of job fatigue and burnout.

7. Lack of social support

If you feel isolated at work and in your personal life, you may feel more stressed.

8. Imbalance between work, family and social life.

If your work takes up much of your time and effort and you don't have enough time to spend with your family and friends, you can burn out quickly.

Psychological and health effects

Ignoring or failing to treat Burnout, can have significant consequences, including:

• Excessive stress
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Negative spillover into personal relationships or home life
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Cardiovascular impairment
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes, especially in women
• Stroke
• Obesity
• Vulnerability to disease
• Ulcers
• Weight loss
• Muscle pain
• Migraines
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Problems with menstrual cycles

Remember, if you think you may be experiencing Burnout, do not ignore your symptoms. Consult with your physician or a mental health professional to identify or rule out underlying health conditions.

Therapy, treatment and advice

If you are concerned about Burnout at work, you should take action. To get started:

• Manage the stressors that contribute to job burnout. Once you have identified what is fueling your Burnout symptoms, you can make a plan to solve the problems.

• Evaluate your options. Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor. Perhaps you can work together to change expectations or come up with compromises or solutions.

• Adjust your attitude. If you have become cynical at work, consider ways to improve your outlook. Rediscover the enjoyable aspects of your position. Establish positive relationships with co-workers to achieve better results. Take short breaks throughout the day. Spend time out of the office and do things you enjoy.

• Seek support. Whether it reaches out to co-workers, friends, loved ones or others, support and collaboration can help you cope with work stress and feelings of burnout. If you have access to an employee assistance program, take advantage of the services available.

• Assess your interests, skills and passions. An honest assessment can help you decide if you should consider an alternative job, such as one that is less demanding or better aligned with your interests or core values.

• Get some exercise. Regular physical activity, such as walking or biking, can help you cope better with stress. It can also help you to disconnect away from work and focus on something else.

In summary, it is advisable to keep an open mind while considering the options, and if you think you are suffering from Burnout Syndrome, try to solve it as soon as possible.

It is also important not to make the problem into something more serious by confusing Burnout Syndrome with a disease: it is not, and its triggers do not have to be found in one's own body. To be clear about this, it is good to read this article: "The differences between syndrome, disorder and disease".

Bibliographic references:

• Bianchi, R.; Schonfeld, I.S.; Laurent, E. (2015). Burnout-depression overlap: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 36: pp. 28 - 41.
• Kristensen, T.S.; Borritz, M.; Villadsen, E.; Christensen, K.B. (2005). The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: A new tool for the assessment of burnout. Work & Stress. 19 (3): 192-207.
• Martín, Ramos Campos y Contador Castillo (2006) “Resiliencia y el modelo Burnout-Engagement en cuidadores formales de ancianos”, Psicothema, 18(4), pp. 791-796.
• Maslach y Leiter (1997) The truth about burnout. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass.
• Maslach, Schaufeli y Leiter (2001) Job Burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 397.422.
• Matteson e Ivancevich (1987) Controlling Work Stress: Effective resource and Management Strategies. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass.
• Oosterholt, BG.; Maes, J.H.R.; Van der Linden, D.; Verbraak, M.J.P.M.; Kompier, M.A.J. (2015). Burnout and cortisol: Evidence for a lower cortisol awakening response in both clinical and non-clinical burnout. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 78(5): pp. 445 - 451.