Burnout recognized

• Burn-out definition is defined in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon.
• The World Health Organization is about to embark on the development of evidence-based guidelines on mental well-being in the workplace.
• It is not classified as a medical condition.
• It is a ‘Factor influencing health status or contact with health services’
• Reasons for which people contact health services but that are not classed as illnesses or health conditions.
• Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

Definition

“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” It is characterized by three dimensions:

• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
• reduced professional efficacy

Burnout symptoms

Ask yourself:

• Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements Have you become cynical or critical at work?
• Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
• Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started?
• Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients?
• Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
• Do you find it hard to concentrate?
• Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?
• Have your sleep habits changed?
• Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints?

Risk factors

You might be more likely to experience job burnout if:

• You identify strongly with work
• You have a high workload, including overtime work
• You try to achieve perfection in your work
• You work in a helping profession, such as health care
• You feel you have little or no control over aspects of your work
• Your job is monotonous

 Consequences of job burnout

Ignored or unaddressed job burnout can have significant consequences, including:

• Excessive stress
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Sadness, anger or irritability
• Alcohol or substance misuse
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Vulnerability to illnesses

 What to do: Two prongs of action

Environment

• Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor and create a plan to change what you can work together to change expectations or reach compromises or solutions. Try to set goals for what must get done and what can wait.
• Reach out to co-workers, friends or loved ones, support and collaboration might help you cope. If you have access to an employee assistance program, take advantage of relevant services.

Personal

• Reassess your own priorities

• • What drew you to your job/employer
  • Are you doing work you enjoy

• Spend some time on your mental health

• • Talk to a therapist/psychiatrist if needed
  • Explore stress reduction activities like meditation or tai chi.
  • Try mindfulness. Mindfulness is the act of focusing on your breath flow and being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling at every moment, without interpretation or judgment. In a job setting, this practice involves facing situations with openness
• Get enough sleep. Sleep restores well-being and helps protect your health.
• Get some exercise. Regular physical activity can help you to better deal with stress. It can also take your mind off work.