Burnout Syndrome: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease)

Burnout syndrome usually affects people who work with others and have overly idealistic ideas about their work.

Burnout syndrome is usually preceded by high self-motivation and expectations. However, great goals, hopes and expectations are clouded by reality. The consequences are resignation and frustration. Problems in the private environment can also promote the development of a burnout syndrome.

It also happens that people work hard every day for their job and thus also for others, but receive little or no recognition for it – neither from colleagues, superiors nor from friends and family. This also contributes to the development of a burnout syndrome.

Sometimes the work of those affected is monotonous, the same routine plays out every day, without changes or challenges. If the contact with the people with whom work is done is often negative and conflictual, this is another factor.

Burnout may or may not be triggered by the work situation. Once the process is triggered, it develops insidiously and gradually builds up. Eventually, burnout leads to work being perceived as increasingly stressful.

Social causes of burnout can be a poor market or economic situation, a decline in values and increasing anonymity, which can place an additional burden on those affected.

Etiology (causes)

Biographical causes

  • Occupations – occupations that involve working on or with people, e.g., nursing occupations, healing occupations.

Behavioral causes

  • Nutrition
    • Malnutrition
    • Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients.
  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Alcohol
    • Coffee
    • Tobacco (smoking)
  • Physical activity
    • Sports – Balancing sports activities such as a daily tight walk (at least half an hour long), gardening, cycling, swimming, gymnastics, fitness are preferable to risky and physically demanding sports
  • Psycho-social situation
    • Too high demands and expectations of themselves
    • Helper syndrome – there is an attempt to compensate for experiences of failure and failed attention in childhood through their own social activity
    • Exaggerated ambition, perfectionism
    • Psychological workloads due to time pressure, high workloads (lack of influence on the organization of work) or conflicts with superiors or colleagues.
    • “Depersonalization” (feelings of alienation from the sense of work, colleagues, customers, etc.)
    • Not enough sleep (the more rested you are, the easier it is to cope with the demands of the job).
    • Night or shift work
    • Private conflicts
    • Stress

Causes related to disease