Burnout Syndrome (BOS) can develop in people who are struggling to cope up with stress in the workplace. First described in the 1970s, Burnout Syndrome usually occurs in individuals without any prior history of psychiatric or psychological issues and is triggered by work-life related factors. Among all the working professionals, healthcare officials are the ones where the incidence of this condition is maximum. In this article, we will be covering all the essential things that you need to know about Burnout Syndrome.
What is Burnout Syndrome?
The WHO defines “Occupational Burnout” or “Burnout Syndrome” as a syndrome resulting from exposure to workplace-related stress chronically and is characterized by the following:
- A feeling of exhaustion and energy depletion
- Feeling of negativity towards one’s job
- A drop in professional efficacy
Burnout Syndrome Symptoms
A person suffering from burnout syndrome has the following three cardinal symptom:.
- Exhaustion: It is experienced by the person as generalized sense of fatigue, which results in decreased productivity in the work space. It is often seen as an outcome of the allocation of too much time in tasks or projects that are not deemed to be beneficial by the individual.
- Depersonalization: Individuals experiencing burnout often feel their working environment and activities to be alienated. Depersonalization thus manifests as a negative attitude towards work as well as interacting with colleagues or clients with impersonal and cynical manners.
- Reduced Personal Accomplishments: Individuals often evaluate the worth of their work negatively. They constantly feel that they are unable to perform up to expectations and this eventually leads to a real decrease in productivity at work.
Risk Factors for Developing Burnout Syndrome
A stressful job doesn’t always lead to Burnout Syndrome unless the stress is managed adequately. Research published in 2019 stated that out of all the professions, around burnout was noted to be highest among healthcare workers, with 44% reporting to have been affected by it. Nevertheless, certain risk factors can lead to Burnout Syndrome, which includes:
- Individual Risk Factors:
- Individuals with poor self-esteem
- Inability to adjust with the working environment (maladaptive coping mechanism)
- Unrealistically high expectations
- Individuals with financial issues
- Organizational Risk Factors:
- Excessive workload
- History of conflict with co-workers
- Understaffed workplace
- Lack of resources
- Incessantly changing working policies
- An imbalance between effort and reward
Prevention and Treatment of Burnout Syndrome
Although the word “Burnout” gives a notion that it is an irreversible condition, but it is reversible as well as preventable. Although there are yet no approved drugs or medication for this condition, it has been found that if individual acts in a resilient way, he or she may just as well avoid developing Burnout Syndrome as well. Resilience is a psychological characteristic that enables an individual to adjust healthily after a traumatic event and can be used in Burnout Syndrome as well. Some resilience techniques include: being optimistic, mindfulness exercises, developing a social support network with co-workers. In case you are suffering from Burnout Syndrome, remember the following:
- Identify the stressors that are causing burnout. You can always find ways to manage those stressors. Try different methods to deal with them and find the one and practice whichever suits you the best
- Utilize the support of co-workers who had similar issues in the past and seek their guidance
- Take breaks from work often. Go out for a walk, listen to music or engage in activities that relax you during those breaks
- Practice “Reframing and Optimism” techniques while dealing with stressful work conditions.
I hope the article was useful. But sometimes Burnout Syndrome can reach extreme levels and can often lead to depression. In that case, it would be wise to visit a Psychologist or Psychiatrist to guide you out of the situation.
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