The term “burnout” comes from the English language and means “to burn out”. The burnout syndrome is the result of a progressive state of emotional burnout. This is due to severe stress at work or elsewhere and the resulting difficult life circumstances.
Burnout is not officially considered a disease, but it can lead to such conditions as depression. The state of exhaustion exists on a physical as well as on an emotional-spiritual level. Due to the resulting stress, the affected person’s ability to cope with stress continues to decrease and the course of the disease worsens.
Phases
Burnout can be divided into 12 successive phases. The system for this was developed by Herbert Freudenberger, a clinical psychologist who was the first to publish an article on the topic of “burnout” and who drew public attention to this phenomenon. The phases should not be interpreted as a strict sequence.
The transitions usually merge or overlap. Sometimes those affected are in several stages at the same time or can even skip such stages. This probably also contributes to the fact that burnout is not considered a disease, because no clear clinical picture can be defined and the course varies individually from person to person.
There are various other systems from different psychologists that serve to describe the phases of burnout. Which one is ultimately used is irrelevant, since the priority is to identify the problem. The urge to want to prove oneself and to have professional success is basically a positive characteristic and testifies to motivation and determination.
However, when the urge develops into a compulsion and the life energy flows completely into the professional career, this can be the beginning of a burnout symptom. The desire for recognition gains too much momentum and the expectations of oneself are set too high. This initial stage is very difficult to recognize and can be misinterpreted individually.
A hasty assumption of a burnout problem is not advisable with strong professional commitment. However, one should pay attention to oneself and to colleagues or fellow men. Exaggerated expectations lead to a perfectly planned execution to maximize work performance.
Behaviour becomes increasingly obsessive and is characterised by extreme commitment and perfectionism. The psychological strain already begins here, as affected people cannot tear their heads off from work and are thus stuck in a state of permanent agitation, even in their free time. All activities not related to work are carried out as quickly and effectively as possible.
Breaks, healthy eating or physical exercise are secondary and are perceived as time-consuming. Social contacts are also slowly losing their value, as these also consume time, which is more urgently needed for the tasks to be completed. The first losses are accepted at the expense of success.
The awareness that something is wrong in life develops and causes fear among those affected. It is actually clear that work takes up too much capacity, but the reduced well-being is seen as a necessary sacrifice for professional success. Further withdrawal is the consequence, as no one should know that a crisis is increasingly developing.
From this phase of secrecy the danger of addictions developing in those affected increases. The most common form of addiction is nicotine and/or alcohol dependency, as both addictive substances are easy to acquire and socially accepted. Relatives of people who work extremely hard should keep an eye on their alcohol consumption.
The personal value system is questioned and adapted to the given circumstances. The first places in the system are no longer occupied by hobbies, friends or family as before, but by the pursuit of a career. Disorientation prevails among those affected: the perception of time has changed.
Both the past and the future are irrelevant, because tasks have to be completed in the now. The pressure of work has now reached a stage where the important can no longer be separated from the unimportant. Denial is a protective mechanism for most people.
This unconscious behaviour tries to protect oneself from opinions or criticism of other people who have noticed that a problem exists. The ability to accept criticism and tolerance towards others decreases and can develop into disdain for colleagues or friends. Increasingly, personal needs take a back seat.
Those affected become increasingly cynical – they ridicule the activities of others, for example, and pay no attention whatsoever to people’s feelings, let alone to social conventions. Only the most necessary social contacts have now been preserved. Mostly the circle of personally valuable people has been reduced to a minimum – only colleagues important for the work or closest family members are still relevant.
The predominant feelings of hopelessness and disorientation plague those affected very much and push them into an emotional blunting. They continue to withdraw from the outside world as well as from themselves. Affected persons are increasingly disappointed – in themselves and in others.
Even in this already relatively advanced phase, the process of withdrawal continues to intensify. A feeling of worthlessness dominates the mood and triggers strong fears. Because a clear change in behaviour can now be perceived, those affected come into contact more often with colleagues or friends who want to help them through affection.
However, most people feel attacked by this – support is not interpreted as such, affection and attention is avoided. A sensitive approach is now necessary, otherwise the situation may escalate and no further talks are allowed. A mechanism in life has developed which is only functional and almost mechanical.
All individuality has been lost, as well as distinctive character traits. This depersonalization is expressed by the inability to meet even the slightest personal needs – the feeling for oneself has disappeared, which inevitably leads to inner conflicts and self-denial. The burnout syndrome has advanced to an alarming stage where the affected person has long been in need of external help.
An agonizing feeling of inner emptiness sets in and the last spark of faith in being able to do something useful is extinguished. The emaciated persons often try to replenish their energy somehow, which usually ends in overreactions. This can lead to extremes in sexuality or eating habits.
Drugs or stimulants also become tempting and often drive people into addiction. Often phobias with accompanying panic attacks develop in this phase. Without support or self-awareness, sooner or later the affected persons develop depression.
If friends, colleagues or relatives notice this, a doctor should be contacted urgently, as this is the final stage of the burnout syndrome. The classic symptoms of a depression exist: the person is desperate and exhausted, the personal drive is gone. Also the motivation to go to work and get involved no longer exists, which is a turning point in priorities.
A state of complete hopelessness has been reached. Very poor sleep with the resulting desire to stay in bed all day dominates life. As with any severe depression, suicidal thoughts can already occur.
The end point of the burnout problem is complete exhaustion on all levels – physical, mental and emotional. The initial constraints have been discarded and even work has become irrelevant. However, this was the only purpose in life, which is why the sense of living has been lost.
Most social contacts have been broken off or have turned away through constant rejection – help is not expected. Often a mental and physical breakdown is imminent or has already taken place. The final phase is an absolute medical emergency, because the risk of suicide is extremely high. If affected persons themselves or persons close to them notice this, psychological or psychiatric treatment is inevitable and the only way out of this crisis situation.
