Burnout is a widely used term to describe symptoms experienced in various professional settings, including work-related fatigue, depression, and dissatisfaction. Experiencing high levels of stress on a daily basis contributes to the development of this condition.

The concept of burnout was developed in the 1960s to describe job-related stress, the state or process of mental exhaustion. Some describe it as a “psychological condition involving a prolonged response to enduring interpersonal stressors” and emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP), and reduced personal accomplishments (PA) are characteristics of this condition.

In ICD-11, WHO recognised burnout as a serious health issue, referring to it as an “occupational phenomenon,” which implies its significance and prevalence in the population, even though the exact numbers are difficult to estimate and currently unknown.

Signs of Burnout:

Various studies have outlined the signs of burnout in different contexts, including post-COVID, as the pandemic might reinforce the burnout symptoms. For example, people report feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and drained, considering the magnitude of impact that COVID-19 has had on society. In such cases, the researchers have identified several signs of burnout, such as:

• Experiencing feelings of sadness, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, failure or apathy;
• Becoming easily frustrated;
• Blaming others or feeling generally irritable;
• Feeling disappointed, indifferent, or apathetic;
• Isolating or disconnecting from others, even virtually;
• Practicing poor self-care;
• Feeling tired, exhausted, or overwhelmed;
• Using negative coping strategies.

On the other hand, a study outlined early warning signs of burnout among intensive care unit professionals, including:

• Chronic fatigue, exhaustion, and tiredness;
• Increased risk-taking;
• Anger, self-criticism;
• Suspiciousness;
• Feelings of helplessness;
• Cynicism, negativity, and irritability;
• Besiegement feeling

Burnout shows itself during exhaustion caused by extreme, prolonged stress.  The signs of burnout include feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, lacking energy, feeling empty and unmotivated, and feeling unable to handle daily responsibilities. Eventually, these might lead to increased irritability, conflicts in relationships, and feeling stuck and hopeless.

Burnout might lead to physical symptoms for some, including backaches, headaches, and loss of appetite. In many cases, disruptions to sleep also occur, and individuals struggle with confidence, affecting their work-life, be it onsite or remote.

Symptoms of Burnout

Burnout can present itself in the form of physical and psychological symptoms, which share a lot of similarities with the early warning signs.

Physical symptoms could include fatigue, insomnia, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues, and headaches. however, in many cases, individuals struggle to realise that their physical symptoms are caused by multiple, consistent workplace stressors, they appear mentally reoccupied and physically exhausted.

In contrast, psychological symptoms associated with burnout are feelings of frustration and hopelessness, anxiety, disillusionment, feeling overwhelmed and unable to overcome the situation, as well as a lack of empathy.

Whilst many of these symptoms are present in depression, the two conditions are different and robust constructs. Burnout, by nature, is only limited to work-related activities, whereas depression also affects the individual’s personal life.

Prevention Tips:

Burnout can result from factors such as the work environment, the type of job, or the individual. Primary prevention suggestions tend to highlight the importance of resilience, defined as an ability to overcome exposure to stress that may otherwise lead to burnout. A resilient individual can combat stress instead of enduring additional stress. Therefore, many organisations aim to increase resilience among their employees, especially in the healthcare setting, where the stress level is relatively high. Directing an individual, their family, organisation, or community enhances resilience. Thus, resilience is not a trait, but an ability that correlates strongly with certain personality factors, and you can enhance it by exercising, visiting a primary care provider, and implementing wellness strategies.

Other basic prevention tips include:

• Meeting basic needs (eat, drink, sleep);
• Taking breaks;
• Staying connected with colleagues, family, friends;
• Supporting colleagues through peer consultation or support;
• Communicating clearly and optimistically;
• Respecting differences and recognising individual differences in approaching a task;
• Staying updated, relying on trusted sources, and limiting social media exposure;
• Avoiding negative coping strategies (caffeine, sugar, alcohol, drugs).

Furthermore, there are several treatment methods that can alleviate the symptoms of burnout. Recent evidence has demonstrated promising results using mindfulness-based interventions. Mindfulness-based interventions focus on helping the individual achieve increased physical and emotional awareness, which in turn reduces reactivity to stressful experiences.