What is burnout at work: causes, symptoms and how to deal with it

In 2019, burnout syndrome was officially recognized and included in the International Classification of Disease (ICD).

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has specified that it is not a disease. Instead, it is a condition of chronic stress caused by work, which brings with it fatigue, unproductivity and disinterest in one’s work. By its very definition, burnout does not affect areas of life other than work.

Burnout: the causes

Burnout syndrome can affect workers of all ages and occupational fields. It is a very common disorder in the health and welfare sector, in law enforcement, and among teachers.

Then there are some risk factors, especially at the personality level and related to the task performed:

• The inability to work as a team;
• The tendency to set goals that are not real;
• self-sacrifice at work;
• excessive workload;
• The difficulty in identifying with the corporate vision;
• The inability to make connections with colleagues;
• Extended working hours;
• Frequently changing tasks and goals;
• bullying.

The symptoms of burnout

Generally, burnout does not involve a sudden onset. Initially, his alarm bells are underestimated as rather vague: headache, insomnia, stomach pain, poor motivation and concentration.

Experts have identified 4 stages of burnout:

• Stage 1: The worker has an idealized view of work, has unrealistic expectations and convinces himself that he can achieve immediate success, which is why he is overactive and sacrifices his family and personal life;
• Stage 2: The worker continues his or her activity but realizes that the job does not meet his or her expectations, and sees disappointment growing;
• Stage 3: The worker feels worthless, may become aggressive toward himself or others, experiences anxiety and begins to “run away” from work by putting himself on sick leave or taking every possible leave;
• Stage 4: Apathetic detachment leads to true disaffection with work, accompanied by intolerance, indifference, guilt and failure.

The symptoms of burnout can vary greatly from subject to subject. Symptoms of the emotional sphere include low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, agitation, anxiety, nervousness, unhappiness, crying bouts and worry. Physical symptoms may instead include insomnia, fatigue, tachycardia, headache, nausea, lack of appetite, gastrointestinal problems, tremor, dizziness, hypertension, and muscle tension.

What to do in case of burnout?

If you suspect you suffer from it, you can take an online burnout test. By answering the simple questions offered, you can get a clearer picture of your situation and understand whether you are experiencing only a period of passing stress or whether you may be suffering from burnout syndrome.

It is very important to stress that a diagnosis of burnout should always be made by an occupational physician or psychologist who, with a careful history, will be able to issue the diagnosis and outline the most appropriate treatment plan.

If, on the other hand, you feel the need to confront your career path and focus on your goals, Phyd can help you. In fact, we put a team of experts at your disposal to help you regain motivation, rediscover your potential, and set new career and life goals through a variety of coaching, tutoring, or mentoring paths.