If you have a job, chances are you’ve been stressed because of that job.
It’s normal, it’s generic, it’s almost inevitable in this day and age that your workplace is going to cause at least a mild bit of grief from time to time.
However, there’s a mild bit of grief – and then there’s total burnout.
As of this week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially recognises burnout syndrome as a medical condition, meaning that patients can be diagnosed as a direct result of their occupation.
WHO defines the condition as: “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
Burnout syndrome is characterised by three things:
1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
2) increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
3) reduced professional efficacy.
The syndrome applies specifically to feelings and efficiency in an occupational context and should not by applied to experiences in other areas of life, such as relationships or family life.
According to Mayo Clinic, burnout tends to occur when a person feels a lack of control around the activities or resources in their workplace. This could include panic around schedules, assignments or the amount of work an employee is expected to take on.
The condition can also be triggered by a dysfunctional workspace, where an employee feels undermined or bullied by a colleague or manager, or an improper work-life balance where a person is so focused on their job that they do not have enough time to spend with friends or family.
Unclear job expectations, a lack of support inside and outside of the workplace, and chaos can also lead to a person becoming burnt out.
Burnout is characterised by stress and exhaustion, but it can also lead to insomnia, fatigue, and even depression.
It is, however, entirely treatable.
Considering your options at work is the first step for a person experiencing burnout. Speaking to a manager or supervisor about your goals and what is expected of you could help to ease the stress associated with the job, and even provide a solution.
The second step is asking for help. Speaking to co-workers, friends, or family about your experience is key, as is reaching out to a mental health professional or availing of an employee assistance scheme where one is in place.
Activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can also help to ease some of the surface pressures associated with burnout.
As always, if you’re worried that you might be experiencing burnout syndrome or any other health related issue, contact your GP.
