Symptoms
Burnout is a state of vital, psychological, cognitive and physical exhaustion. The syndrome manifests itself in:
- Exhaustion (leading symptom).
- Alienation from work, Reduced commitment, Cynical attitude, Dissatisfaction, Inefficiency.
- Emotional problems: Depression, irritability, aggression.
- Low motivation
- Psychosomatic complaints: Fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, nausea.
- Despair, helplessness, declining performance.
- Flat emotional life, social restriction, despair.
- Cognitive problems
A burnout and a depression are not the same and a burnout patient does not necessarily have to be depressed. However, the condition can turn into depression or be accompanied by one. Burnout patients have an increased risk of secondary diseases such as a heart attack, diabetes mellitus or mental illness.
Causes
Burnout syndrome is thought to be primarily a result of chronic physical or bodily stress (disstress). Those most at risk are individuals who are overly demanding at work, perfectionistic, diligent, and ambitious. The cause lies in an interplay between personality and the work environment.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made in medical treatment. A difficulty is the fact that there is neither a clear definition nor clearly defined criteria to the disease. The so-called “Maslach Burnout Inventory” is most often used as a catalog of symptoms for diagnosis.
Nonpharmacologic treatment
Burnout treatment is multimodal and interdisciplinary with professional care. Therapeutic measures include:
- Recovery in everyday life, vacations alone are not enough! This includes, for example, sports, social contacts, relaxation exercises.
- Coaching
- Psychotherapy
- Time off from work (time-out)
- Analysis of stressors and problems, implement changes.
- Cautious re-entry into the work
Drug treatment
For drug therapy, antidepressants are primarily used. Other psychotropic drugs such as neuroleptics, sedatives, and hypnotics may be indicated. Concomitant diseases (comorbidities) are treated individually, for example, with antihypertensives for hypertension or analgesics for pain.
