Burnout

Burnout syndrome is a state of chronic emotional exhaustion with somatic (organ) and mental symptoms. Devastated, overworked people worked with a very high level of motivation in their professional field. However, in the presence of the burnout syndrome, their zeal, the ability to be inspired by some ideas and their idealism cannot be mobilized even by the utmost effort of will.

When burnout syndrome occurs, the following factors play a decisive role:

• objective professional load: volume of work, labor density (number of tasks for a period of time, pressure of the time factor);
• the degree of responsibility for the assigned area of work and its implementation;
• the possibility of creating conditions for the performance of the work task;
• individual psychological factors: ambition, perfectionism, "assistant syndrome", the ability to process chronic stress. The development of burnout syndrome proceeds imperceptibly, from the onset of individual symptoms to a complete picture with complete disability and inability to cope with the demands of everyday life.

Symptoms

The nature and frequency of manifestation symptoms vary individually.

Organ:

• sleep disorders (falling asleep and prolonged sleep)
• headache
• pain in various parts of the body
• digestive problems (diarrhea or constipation)
• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• tinnitus aurium (ringing in the ears with no apparent organ cause, often unpleasant persistent sounds)
• weight gain or loss
• decreased sexual activity
• often in addition to this: the emergence of dependence on alcohol, psychotropic drugs or drugs.

Mental:

• concentration disorders
• chronic fatigue: the usual time allotted for rest does not give the proper feeling of relaxation
• uncertainty and fear: in this case, we can talk about obsessive fears (in relation to certain things or situations) or diffuse, non-specific fears
• emotional lability: strong mood swings that cannot be corrected by willpower
• depressive, depressed mood
• low threshold of frustration (a state of impossibility to satisfy any needs)
• loss of self-esteem: it seems that personal positive qualities and strengths, previously taken for granted, are no longer available
• the emergence of a feeling of depersonalization (feeling of alienness, "as if you are someone else")
• withdrawal: social ties are limited or interrupted, parts under the most ridiculous pretexts
• communication problems at home and at work

Treatment

1. Treatment of organic symptoms: correction of blood pressure, optimization of nutrition, if necessary - metabolism.
2. Restoration of mental conditions, sleep hygiene.
3. In the presence of any addiction: a withdrawal course.
4. Psychotherapeutic treatment: activities that help to become aware of the subconscious elements that control behavior and lead to devastation, preparation for changing positions, planning specific steps in daily life.
5. Analysis of the personal "stress pattern" and training of more favorable strategies in overcoming distress (negative stress).
6. Planning specific steps in the field of professional activity of the patient.