What Is Burnout? Signs, Symptoms, and How It Affects Mental Health

Burnout is not a new term added to our vocabulary. Today, as we think about work, a word that instantly pops up in our minds is burnout.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is not the regular stress that we experience in our daily lives. Burnout is a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overwhelming demands. The World Health Organization(WHO) recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon characterized by exhaustion, cynicism or detachment from work, and reduced professional efficacy.

Burnout is not a mental health disorder. People often disregard it as normal stress, to the point where lasting serious changes occur to the mind and body. Burnout is not something restricted to occupation alone; it can occur in students, caregivers, parents, and anyone facing prolonged role strain and emotional overload.

How Do I Know If It Is Burnout and Not Stress?

Here are the signs you must look out for:

1. How do you feel after a sound sleep of 7-8 hours? Still tired or refreshed?

   
   

   Persistent exhaustion- 

   One of the common signs of burnout is exhaustion. Even after a good night's sleep, you still feel a deep, ongoing tiredness. Your energy levels remain low throughout the day, impairing your thinking and actions.

   
   

2. Do you feel connected to the task at hand?

   
   

   Increased cynicism or detachment- 

   Individuals who are burned out constantly feel emotionally numb, indifferent, or negative about their work or assigned tasks. Detachment from people and reduced empathy are also observed.

   
   

3. Are you able to deliver quality performance at work, school, or in your responsibilities?

   
   

   Reduced performance and efficacy- 

   Burnout leads to difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, slower problem solving, and reduced performance or achievement at work or study.

   
   

4. Do you feel emotionally distressed?

   
   

   Emotional symptoms- 

   Emotional distress, such as irritability, apathy, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, or lack of emotional expression, is common. They may initially fluctuate but eventually become more persistent.

   
   

5. Did you experience any significant behavioral changes?

   
   

   Behavioral symptoms- 

   Withdrawal from responsibilities, procrastination, absenteeism, increased mistakes, or substance abuse to cope with the tension are common in burnout.

   
   

6. Do you experience any physical symptoms?

   
   

   Physical symptoms- 

   Headaches, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, low immunity, falling ill often, or fatigue are physical symptoms revealing burnout.

   
   

7. Did you experience any negative changes in your relationships or social life?

   
   

   Social effects- 

   Burnout can cause difficulties in interpersonal relationships, reduced interest in social activities and interactions, and difficulty separating work and personal life.

   
   

If you have experienced these symptoms over the past weeks, months, or years, then it is likely that you are suffering from burnout.

How Does Burnout Affect Mental Health?

• Increased risk for mental health disorders- 

  Even though burnout isn’t a mental health disorder on its own, it can evolve into or co-occur with disorders like depression and anxiety disorders. Many symptoms, such as sleep disturbance, low mood, poor concentration, etc., can overlap, and untreated burnout can turn these symptoms into full-blown depression or anxiety.

  
  

• Cognitive impairment- 

  How would you perform in a test if you were very anxious the whole night and day about it? Probably bad performance because your brain can’t think of the answers properly. Burnout does the same thing. It disrupts attention, working memory, and executive functioning, making complex tasks harder and increasing errors.

  
  

• Emotional dysregulation- 

  Burnout can significantly disrupt your normal emotional regulation. Minor stressors could provoke larger reactions like irritability or anger, which in turn harm workplace and personal relationships.

  
  

• Maladaptive coping- 

  People experiencing burnout may engage in substance abuse, binge eating, or gambling as short-term relief, which worsens their mental health and turns into addictions.

  
  

• Physical health problems- 

  Increased cortisol production in the body can lead to muscle tension, high blood pressure, low immunity, and other serious conditions like cardiovascular diseases. In individuals suffering from burnout, the quality and quantity of sleep are impaired, which in turn affects attention, concentration, memory consolidation, energy levels, etc.

  
  

• Reduced helpseeking- 

  Burnout can create feelings of shame, stigma, or the belief that one “should cope” with the stressor. Asking for help may feel like a personal failure or weakness. This would prevent them from seeking help, allowing symptoms to worsen until they become serious.

  
  

In this world that glorifies hustle culture, burnout is often seen as a badge of honor rather than a silent cry for help. If you or someone you know has been experiencing burnout for a while, it is high time to ask for help. You can ask for help by speaking to your manager or related personnel at the workplace, or consult a psychologist to help with boundary setting and managing stress.

Book your session with Koott today.