Is mental burnout actually a thing? Yes!… Burnout is an occupational syndrome where you just feel like you have nothing left to give. You are done, fed, up, checked out, and have felt this way for some time. You may experience symptoms of indifference, agitation, irritability, anger, anxiety, and depression.
Burnout is identified in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as a specific occupational phenomenon. Initially recognized by Herbert Freudenberger, burnout can manifest in both mental and physical symptoms. It is classified as a syndrome, rather than a medical condition, that results from unrelenting and prolonged workplace stress. Burnout leaves individuals in a state of emotional and physical distress, that can also lead to feelings of reduced personal and professional accomplishment an identity. Whatever the cause of the burnout, it significantly affect your mental health.
Most often, we think of burnout as a solely work-related syndrome. However, many people do not only experience burnout with work, but also with studying, parenting, COVID, or any sort of stressor that causes significant and prolonged emotional exhaustion. This can result in attitude and mood changes, and often family members, friends, and individuals in your work environment may notice the shift. Burnout can result from high level demands, such as working overtime shifts in a healthcare setting, and result in ongoing feelings of overwhelm, feelings of hopelessness, cynicism, and general exhaustion.
Anyone can be at a risk of burnout. Burnout often affects individuals who are hard workers and people pleasers, those with big hearts that are the “givers” of the community. Those who may be at risk for burnout may have personal or job-related tasks, demands, and responsibilities that are above and beyond what one could consider a reasonable level of stress, for a prolonged period of time.
Warning signs of burnout not only include emotional exhaustion, but a myriad of both mental and physical symptoms.
The best way to explore if you may be burnt out is by starting to ask yourself questions:
The first step would be to contact your doctor and make an appointment if you are considering the possibility of burnout. Talking to a mental health professional with experience in treating burnout can help ease the symptoms and related conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Overcoming burnout is a unique journey specific to each individual and their needs – reaching out for support from medical and healthcare professionals can be the first step towards positive change.
Anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms, such as heart pounding, sweaty palms, a having a knot in your stomach. However, not everyone experiences anxiety in the same way.
Depression is not feeling down for an hour out of your day. It’s not something to be
Burnout is a mental phenomena that occurs as a result from unrelenting work-related stress; however, the condition
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