Are You Experiencing Burn Out?

Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by overwhelming stress. It is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that can involve a sense of reduced accomplishment, loss of personal identity, emptiness, and unable to cope with the demands of life. People who are struggling to cope with stress at the workplace may place themselves at high risk of burnout.

Burnout has been associated with toxic workplace climate, caseload size, and severity of client symptoms. It is estimated that between 21-61% of mental health practitioners experience signs of burnout (APA,2018). Burnout can cause negative effects on both practitioners and their clients. Burnout can last weeks, months, or even years.

Physical and mental health issues have been associated with burnout. Physical symptoms include feeling tired/drained, headaches, and changes in appetite or sleep habits. Emotional symptoms include loss of motivation, feeling helpless, feeling trapped, negative/cynical outlook, detachment, and decreased satisfaction. Additional symptoms may include: withdrawing from responsibilities, isolating yourself, procrastinating, or taking out your frustrations on others. It can heighten feelings of anxiety and depression.

Strategies that can help would be including problem-based coping skills. It will help address the emotional exhaustion and maintain a sense of personal accomplishment.

• Address emotional exhaustion early on.

• Seek social support such as a supervisor, talk to your employers about your caseload, or seek your own therapy to maintain a sense of personal accomplishment.

• Clarify your job description and responsibility.

• Use mindfulness and take breaks/time off.

• Establish and keep boundaries both at work and in your personal life.

• Be kind to yourself during this process.

• Self-care strategies: eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and engaging in healthy sleep habits may help reduce some of the effects of a high-stress job.

Allowing yourself the patience and kindness to admit that you are burned out is important, it does not take away from the good work you have done or the work you will continue to do, if you still want to.