Content
Burnout syndrome, or professional attrition syndrome, is a situation characterized by physical, emotional or mental exhaustion that usually arises due to the accumulation of stress at work or related to studies, and that occurs more frequently in professionals who have to deal with pressure and constant responsibility, such as teachers or health professionals for example.
Since this syndrome can result in a state of deep depression, it is very important to take steps to prevent it, especially if the first signs of excess stress are already beginning to appear. In these cases, it is extremely important to consult a psychologist to learn how to develop strategies that help to relieve constant stress and pressure.
Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome
Burnout syndrome can be identified more frequently in people whose work involves contact with other people, such as doctors, nurses, caregivers and teachers, for example, who can develop a series of symptoms, such as:
- Constant feeling of negativity: It is very common for people who are experiencing this syndrome to be constantly negative, as if nothing is going to work.
- Physical and mental tiredness: People with Burnout Syndrome usually have constant and excessive tiredness, which is difficult to recover.
- Lack of will: A very common feature of this syndrome is lack of motivation and willingness to do social activities or be with other people.
- Difficulty concentrating: People may also find it difficult to concentrate on work, daily tasks or a simple conversation.
- Lack of energy: One of the symptoms that manifests in Burnout Syndrome is excessive tiredness and lack of energy to maintain healthy habits, such as going to the gym or having regular sleep.
- Feeling of incompetence: Some people may have the feeling that they are not doing enough in and out of work.
- Difficulty to like the same things: It is also normal for the person to feel that they no longer like the same things they used to like, like doing an activity or playing a sport, for example.
- Prioritize the needs of others: People who suffer from Burnout syndrome usually put the needs of others before their own.
- Sudden changes in mood: Another very common characteristic is the sudden changes in mood with many periods of irritation.
- Isolation: Due to all these symptoms, the person has a tendency to isolate himself from important people in his life, such as friends and family.
Other frequent signs of Burnout syndrome include taking a long time to perform professional tasks, as well as missing or being late for work many times. In addition, when taking a vacation it is common not to feel pleasure during this period, returning to work with the feeling of still being tired.
Although the most common symptoms are psychological, people who are suffering from Burnout syndrome can also often suffer from headaches, palpitations, dizziness, sleep problems, muscle pain and even colds, for example.
How to confirm the diagnosis
Often, the person suffering from Burnout cannot identify all the symptoms and, therefore, cannot confirm that something is happening. Thus, if there are suspicions that you may be suffering from this problem, it is advisable to ask for help from a friend, family member or other trusted person in order to correctly identify the symptoms.
However, to make the diagnosis and not have any more doubts, the best way is to go with a person close to a psychologist to discuss the symptoms, identify the problem and guide the most appropriate treatment. During the session, the psychologist may also use the questionnaireMaslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which aims to identify, quantify and define the syndrome.
Take the following test to find out if you have Burnout syndrome:
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Start the test
My job (for me) is a challenging challenge.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I don't like to serve some students, clients or to have contact with other people in my work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I think my clients or students are unbearable.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I am concerned about how I treated some people at work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
My work is a source of personal fulfillment.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I think the relatives of my students or clients are boring.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I think I treat my clients, students or co-workers indifferently.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I think I am saturated with my work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I feel guilty about some of my attitudes at work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I think my job gives me some positive things.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I like to be ironic with some of my clients, students or co-workers.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I have remorse for some of my behaviors at work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I label and classify my clients or students according to their behavior.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
My job is very rewarding for me.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I think I should apologize to a student or client of my work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I feel physically tired at my job.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I feel like I'm really tired at work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I feel like I'm emotionally worn out.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I am delighted with my work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
I feel bad about some things I said or did at work.
- Never
- Rarely - a few times a year
- Sometimes - it happens a few times a month
- Often - happens more than once a week
- Very often - it happens daily
How treatment should be
Treatment for Burnout syndrome should be guided by a psychologist, but therapy sessions are usually recommended, which will help to increase the perception of control in the face of stressful work situations, in addition to improving self-esteem and developing tools that help control stress. In addition, it is important to reduce overwork or studies, reorganizing the more demanding goals you had planned.
However, if the symptoms persist, the psychologist can recommend a psychiatrist to start taking antidepressant drugs, such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine, for example. Understand how the treatment of Burnout syndrome is done.
Possible complications
People who have Burnout syndrome can have complications and consequences when they do not start treatment, because the syndrome can interfere in several areas of life, such as physical, work, family and social, and there may also be greater chance of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle pain, headache and depressive symptoms, for example.
These consequences may make it necessary for the person to be admitted to the hospital for the symptoms to be treated.
How to avoid
Whenever the first signs of Burnout appear, it is important to focus on strategies that help reduce stress, such as:
- Set small goals in professional and personal life;
- Participate in leisure activities with friends and family;
- Do activities that "run away" from the daily routine, such as walking, eating in a restaurant or going to the cinema;
- Avoid contact with "negative" people who are constantly complaining about others and work;
- Talk to someone you trust about what you're feeling.
In addition, exercising, such as walking, running or going to the gym, for at least 30 minutes a day also helps to relieve pressure and increase the production of neurotransmitters that increase the feeling of well-being. Therefore, even if the desire to exercise is very low, one should insist on exercising, inviting a friend to walk or ride a bicycle, for example.