Burnout Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Burnout syndrome refers to a mental illness that is relatively new to medical awareness. In this, burnout, as the English already states, is considered to be burned out or a chronic state of exhaustion.

What is burnout syndrome?

Burnout syndrome is associated with emotional exhaustion and overwhelm, as well as a lack of vitality. Burnout syndrome describes being psychologically burned out or chronically overexerted and overworked, as a result of which the affected patient loses all interest in his or her professional and personal life, and performance has almost completely disappeared. This is a waning of initially high motivation and interest in the profession, brought about by many disappointments or false expectations. The disease is divided into phases and can, in the worst case, end in the suicide of the patient if it is not treated properly. Most often, burnout syndrome results from prolonged occupational stress, overwork and overwork. But also wrongly set expectations of life and work, as well as other personal psychological problems can lead to burnout. Since the disease not infrequently leads to suicidal thoughts, a doctor should be consulted in time to treat the disease as early as possible.

Causes

In the past, it was thought that burnout syndrome could only affect professions that require a high volume of motivation and are exposed to many disappointments or situations that they have nothing to counter. However, helping professions such as doctors, nurses or life coaches fall ill just like any other person. The cause of the burnout syndrome is that the patient approaches his profession with extremely high motivation and forgets to deal with the disappointments correctly. Especially teachers are often affected by burnout, because their expectations from their studies often collide with the reality at schools. Over time, however, the pressure of these disappointments grows over the patient’s head and he or she loses motivation in the profession, since his or her individual processing mechanisms have failed or are non-existent. However, burnout syndrome also affects certain patients more than others. People with known helper syndrome, ADHD or neuroticism belong to the risk group and are more likely to suffer from it than other people in a challenging job or life situation.

Symptoms, complaints, and signs

In the following, only the physical symptoms of burnout are listed. These can occur in very different forms and intensities. In addition to the physical symptoms, but also especially the psychological complaints are of essential importance to recognize a burnout syndrome. These include, above all, low self-confidence, general dissatisfaction at work, constant feelings of stress and sadness. Furthermore, the affected persons also suffer from listlessness and lose their zest for life. The burnout syndrome consists of a variety of symptoms that do not always occur simultaneously. Rather, it is a combination of various complaints that afflict the affected person and that intensify in the course of the disease. At the beginning, for example, there are perceived and actual excessive demands in the face of upcoming tasks. This results in physical exhaustion and mental stress. Nevertheless, the affected person puts pressure on himself to perform in order to satisfy the environment. Performance is nevertheless not seen as sufficient, and in the course of burnout it is often assumed by the person affected that it is up to him or her. Reward mechanisms and the recognition of performance are no longer seen as sufficient. Self-esteem can suffer and depression can result. The constant feeling of being exhausted eventually leads to a lack of drive and an unwillingness to tackle challenges. This feeling sometimes also affects everyday life, so that those affected also neglect their own needs. In some cases, there is neglect of social life. Sleep problems and stress promote physical symptoms, including digestive ailments and pain. Nevertheless, the ability to give oneself breaks fails, as it is assumed that one’s own performance is simply insufficient. All symptoms are amplified and the mental state steadily worsens. The end result is despair and self-sacrifice.A severe burnout syndrome sometimes ends with suicidal tendencies. Signs are permanent stress in combination with self-imposed pressure to perform. Those affected simply carry on despite their suffering in order to prove something to themselves and those around them. The ability to recognize one’s own limits is lost.

Course

Symptomatic of burnout syndrome is initially an excessive motivation, coupled with a lack of ability to recognize and acknowledge defeats as such. It is already considered a first warning signal when the patient sacrifices himself for the job. At the beginning of the disease, he feels irreplaceable, makes almost perfectionist demands on himself and on everyone else. The patient frightens colleagues with this seemingly perfectionistic behavior. Furthermore, he is convinced to live up to his ideals. With time, however, the performance decreases and the motivation dwindles, only dull work is done without seeking social contact with colleagues. Rather, blame is observed, which is a final emotional reaction of the patient. As the burnout syndrome progresses, family and friends are also neglected, the patient withdraws and develops doubts about his previous life and his place in it. Finally, burnout syndrome reaches a point where the patient becomes unable to work and, at worst, may even be suicidal.

Complications

Many different complications can occur with burnout syndrome, depending on the mental and physical state of the sufferer. There are also differences between male and female individuals here. As a rule, complications occur in burnout syndrome that lead to severe exhaustion of the person. This exhaustion can be so severe that it results in an inability to work. In the worst case, burnout syndrome leads to suicide, although this is relatively rare. In most cases, the patient feels very exhausted and tense. This tension can be interpreted not only physically, but also psychologically. Patients are equally powerless, tired, weak and tense. A lack of drive was also one of the common symptoms of burnout. Without treatment, the symptoms intensify, resulting later in indifference to other people and successes. A cynical attitude occurs just as frequently. As a rule, experiences of failure intensify the symptoms of burnout. Treatment usually takes place on a psychological level and should always be carried out by a psychologist. However, burnout syndrome also weakens the physical properties of the body, which is why sports activities are also part of the therapy. Most of the time, therapy with a psychologist is successful and leads to combating the burnout syndrome. However, the success is strongly dependent on the will of the affected person.

When should one go to the doctor?

Upsets, feelings of listlessness or exhaustion due to exertion are normal even in healthy people. The question of whether and when to go to the doctor depends on the duration and severity of the symptoms. A doctor should be consulted at the latest when the daily walk to work seems unbearable for at least two weeks and one is no longer able to switch off and relax. In this condition, one is already very close to a breakdown. A change in everyday life should be initiated urgently. The family doctor can be consulted for an initial discussion. If this seems to focus too much on physical causes, a specialist should be consulted. If desired, the family doctor can also refer the patient to a psychologist or psychiatrist. The psychologist can then help out of the crisis as part of psychotherapy. The psychiatrist, in turn, prescribes medications that have a supportive effect and help against stress, associated sleep disorders and possibly depression.

Treatment and therapy

Important for the treatment is first the exact knowledge of the causes of the burnout syndrome. Some patients fall ill with it purely because of their job, while in others there is another underlying psychological condition that has contributed to the illness. Burnout syndrome in its early stages sometimes improves spontaneously with a minimal change. A change of boss, a new job or compensation for the stressful situation can ensure that the burnout syndrome recedes.In the advanced stages, however, the patient needs professional help. Treatment of burnout syndrome initially consists of removing the patient from the stressful situation and giving him time off, usually in a specialized clinic. Meanwhile, his individual problems that led to the burnout syndrome are analyzed. After discharge from the clinic, he receives further psychotherapy, is monitored by the attending psychologist and receives targeted coaching.

Outlook and prognosis

Burnout syndrome has recently come to the fore like few other mental illnesses, as more and more people are suffering from it and it is now often detected in time. This is important in influencing the prognosis, because burnout syndrome that is detected and treated promptly can be treated relatively quickly and easily. At best, the affected patient will only need a short course of psychotherapy, possibly a short inpatient stay and, depending on the condition, mildly effective psychotropic drugs. This offers the advantage that the loss of work is low and also that the drugs used are probably well tolerated and do not have to be taken for long – if at all. An undiagnosed burnout syndrome, on the other hand, develops steadily, with all the consequences for the person affected. He often changes his lifestyle habits and develops new, unhealthy mechanisms to cope with the stress of his everyday life. This can primarily break down interpersonal relationships, but the coping mechanism can also have physical consequences. In particularly severe courses, burnout syndrome develops to a point where the patient is no longer able to do anything, cannot cope with everyday life, develops suicidal thoughts and, in the worst case, puts them into action or attempts to do so. Such advanced cases of burnout syndrome can no longer be treated quickly and usually end with inpatient stays of several months, possible occupational disability and the use of high-dose medication.

Aftercare

Prevention would actually be even more important than aftercare when it comes to burnout syndrome. But once exhaustion syndrome has occurred, the affected person cannot be sent back to functioning afterwards. Regular care and follow-up would be desirable. Life-changing measures may need to be initiated – such as cutting the job in half in favor of staying healthy. However, the form in which – and whether at all – follow-up care is provided varies. Often, once the patient has survived rehab, he or she is considered fully capable of working again. Without getting to the root of the burnout syndrome, however, stressors cannot be eliminated or changed. Therefore, coaching following the actual treatment would be a useful aftercare approach. Psychological support in the year following a hospital stay accompanies the affected person in his or her everyday life. It helps to make behavioral adjustments or to decide on a different profession. The problem is that such aftercare measures often have to be self-financed. The actual treatment of burnout syndrome often only extends as far as restoring functional capacity. Another option for aftercare would be treatment by an alternative practitioner, ideally one with psychological training. Here, the physical support could be combined with the psychological support. Self-help groups are another possibility. Here, those affected exchange ideas and support each other with everyday problems.

Home remedies and herbs against nervous disorders

  • 10 drops of valerian tincture at night dissolved in a lukewarm glass of water, calms the mind, spirit and body in the long term. However, the calming effects can also last up to two weeks. But for this it also lasts longer.

What you can do yourself

Those affected by burnout syndrome usually suffer from a heavy load and can hardly find a way to relax. Those who suffer from burnout syndrome should seek professional help from doctors and therapists, and in addition, follow helpful tips for self-help. In the everyday life of those affected, it is extremely important to practice mental hygiene on a regular basis. With mental hygiene, the mind and soul can be cleansed so that the soul can breathe a sigh of relief and be carefree.In the case of burnout syndrome, a change in behavior should always be sought in everyday life. Through a personal time-out, a reduction of working hours, a resumption of hobbies and other measures, one should again take more time for oneself in order to be able to feel oneself better again and to find one’s center. With relaxation procedures one can calm down one’s mind even in stormy times and reduce inner tension and agitation. In addition, an active lifestyle with sufficient exercise is also recommended. Sports, such as jogging, cycling or swimming, are a successful balance to everyday life and help to reduce the stress of everyday life. Fitness training can strengthen the physical resources of those affected and thus also improve their body image and self-confidence. A healthy and balanced diet ensures an adequate supply of nutrients to the body and thus also stabilization on the physical side.