Understand what burnout syndrome is and how to prevent it

The burnout syndrome is a consequence of the excessive accumulation of stress in workers who have a very competitive profession or with a lot of responsibility, making the workday a sacrifice that involves nervousness, psychological suffering and physical problems, such as stomach pain, excessive tiredness or dizziness, for example.

Normally, burnout syndrome is more frequent in teachers and nurses who do not see their work skills valued by their boss or co-workers, or because they need to work long hours without breaks to participate in leisure tasks. In addition, the syndrome can also arise when very difficult work objectives are planned, causing the worker, after some time, to feel that they do not have sufficient skills to achieve them.

Since this syndrome can result in a state of deep depression, it is very important to take steps to prevent it, especially if the first signs of excess stress are already beginning to appear. In these cases, it is extremely important to consult a psychologist to learn how to develop strategies that help to relieve constant stress and pressure.

How to spot the first signs

Feeling stress and unwillingness to get out of bed is common and can happen to everyone, but when these feelings are present almost every day, it can indicate the onset of a burnout syndrome.

In addition, other symptoms that can be identified include:

• Feeling tired and without energy almost always; Having frequent headache; Changes in appetite; Difficulty falling asleep; Having constant feelings of failure and insecurity; Feeling defeated and hopeless; Difficulty in fulfilling work responsibilities; Willingness to isolate oneself from others.

Generally, these symptoms start very lightly but get worse over time, so it is possible that other people may not notice changes in behavior at first. However, over time, it is common for other people to refer to changes in the affected person's way of being.

Answer the following questions, and take the quick test to see if you can have this syndrome:

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Start the test

My job (for me) is a challenging challenge.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I don't like to serve some students, clients or to have contact with other people in my work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I think my clients or students are unbearable.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I am concerned about how I treated some people at work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

My work is a source of personal fulfillment.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I think the relatives of my students or clients are boring.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I think I treat my clients, students or co-workers indifferently.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I think I am saturated with my work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I feel guilty about some of my attitudes at work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I think my job gives me some positive things.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I like to be ironic with some of my clients, students or co-workers.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I have remorse for some of my behaviors at work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I label and classify my clients or students according to their behavior.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

My job is very rewarding for me.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I think I should apologize to a student or client of my work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I feel physically tired at my job.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I feel like I'm really tired at work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I feel like I'm emotionally worn out.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I am delighted with my work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

I feel bad about some things I said or did at work.

• NeverRarely - sometimes a yearSometimes - it happens a few times a monthFrequently - it happens more than once a weekVery often - it happens daily

Whenever there are doubts about the appearance of burnout syndrome, it is recommended to consult a psychologist to make the diagnosis and start treatment, if necessary.

How the syndrome is treated

The treatment for burnout syndrome should be guided by a psychologist, but it is usually recommended that the person take a vacation, do relaxing activities, such as dancing, going to the movies or going out with friends, and avoid overwork, reorganizing their more demanding goals he had planned.

However, if the symptoms persist, the psychologist may recommend psychotherapy or refer a psychiatrist to start taking antidepressant drugs, such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine, for example. Better understand how the treatment of burnout syndrome is done.

How to prevent the onset of the syndrome

Whenever the first signs of burnout appear, it is important to focus on strategies that help reduce stress, such as:

• Define small goals in professional and personal life; Participate in laze activities with friends and family; Do activities that "run away" from the daily routine, such as walking, eating in a restaurant or going to the cinema; Avoid contact with "negative" people who are constantly complaining about others and work; Talk to someone you trust about what you are feeling.

In addition, exercising, such as walking, running or going to the gym, for at least 30 minutes a day also helps to relieve pressure and increase the production of neurotransmitters that increase the feeling of well-being.

Therefore, even if the desire to exercise is very low, one should insist on exercising, inviting a friend to walk or ride a bicycle, for example.