What is Burnout?

Most definitions of burnout are always within a framework of work stress.

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

· Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
· Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism
· Reduced professional efficacy

However, one of the best lay definitions of burnout is from The Mayo Clinic:

Burnout is a special type of work-related stress – a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.

What are the signs of burnout?

While signs or symptoms differ from individual to individual, depending on their work situation and circumstance, these are some signs that could be related to burnout.

These include:

· Feelings of anxiousness
· Headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other unexplained physical complaints
· Trouble sleeping
· Extreme fatigue or exhaustion
· Detachment from work
· A cynical attitude toward work or life
· Inability to focus or concentrate
· Noticeably decreased efficacy or productivity at work

What causes burnout?

There are various causes of burnout and often it can be attributed to multiple factors. Here are only some examples of what may be causing or contributing to feelings of burnout:

· A lack of control – an inability to influence decisions that affect your job – such as schedule or workload, or a lack of resources
· Unclear job expectations – not feeling comfortable at work because of a lack of clarity about your degree of authority or what your supervisor or colleagues expect from you
· Dysfunctional workplace dynamics or a toxic work culture – you may be working with someone who is a bully, or feel undermined by your colleagues or have a micromanaging boss
· Extremes of activity – your job fluctuates from monotony to chaos and you require constant energy to remain focused
· Lack of social support – if you feel isolated at work or in your personal life
· Work-life imbalance – your work takes up so much time and effort, that you do not have the energy to spend time with family or friends

Is burnout considered a mental illness?

In December of 2019, the World Health Organization updated the definition of burnout in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as a syndrome – which is defined as a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms.

It stopped short of defining it as a disease (or illness) but this change is significant because now as a syndrome, there is increased awareness of burnout – especially among the medical community – and hopefully, this will allow people access to better treatment and support. The change in definition is also helping to remove the stigma around burnout.

Are there different types of burnout?

Recently, there has been more research and discussion about clinical subsets of burnout syndrome. They have been broken down into three types: overload (frenetic), under-challenged, and neglect (worn-out).

Overload burnout – also known as the frenetic subset – occurs when you work harder and more frantically to achieve success, to the detriment of your health and personal life. Highly dedicated employees who feel obligated to work are most often affected by this type of burnout. This often leads to both emotional and physical exhaustion.

Under-challenged burnout occurs when you feel bored or not stimulated by your job, which then leads to a lack of motivation. Individuals may feel underappreciated and frustrated that their job doesn’t provide learning opportunities, room for growth or have opportunities for meaningful connections with colleagues or leadership. This may result in feeling cynical or lethargic and engaging in avoidance or distracting activities.

Neglect burnout – also known as the worn-out subset – occurs when you are feeling helpless in the face of challenges. It occurs when you aren’t given enough structure or guidance in the workplace. You may feel unable to keep up with demands or feel like you are unable to meet expectations. This may lead to feeling like it is useless to try and you become passive in your work.

What can you do if you are experiencing burnout?

Reach out for support! There are many strategies to help you manage burnout and understand your reactions to stress. Therapy can help you to understand yourself, your relationship to work, and how that affects your outlook on career and the decisions that you make. It’s never too late to reach out for help and guidance.