Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional fatigue resulting from the constant stress of work. It can affect all working people regardless of their socio-professional category and age. In fact, more and more students and teenagers are suffering from this burnout syndrome. Focus on the signs of burn-out and possible treatments.
The cause of burnout
The main cause of burnout is stress at work. Unrelenting stress no longer allows the body to rest enough to cope with daily obligations and leads to this state of exhaustion. Moreover, the individual suffering from burnout will tend to increase his or her efforts at work for fear of having his or her skills or work called into question, which will further damage his or her health.
Symptoms of burnout
The symptoms of burn-out are multiple. There are four main forms of disorders that can occur.
Physical disorders
Physically, an individual with burnout could suffer from:
· chronic fatigue
· depression
· chronic infections
· chronic or aggravated diseases
· palpitations
· cardiovascular disorders
· eating disorders
· osteoarticular disorders
· sleep problems
· sexual dysfunction
Intellectual Disorders
Burnout can create memory lapses and an inability to concentrate, make decisions or even think. The sufferer will show a lack of efficiency, precision and organization in his work. In addition, he will be less inclined to undertake his daily tasks.
Emotional disorders
The person with exhaustion syndrome may adopt an inappropriate attitude towards his or her supervisor or co-workers at work or even customers. They will be nervous, irritable, afraid and anxious, sometimes to the point of having suicidal thoughts. His or her self-confidence will be shattered, as will his or her joie de vivre. He or she will feel empty, useless and completely helpless.
Behavioural Problems
Questionable and unusual behaviour also accompanies burnout. These include:
· repeated absenteeism from work
· abuse of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and medication
· social withdrawal
· neglect of one’s personal life
· It is also possible that the patient may overwork his or her working hours and allow himself or herself to be overwhelmed to the point where his or her private life is totally neglected.
Burn-out treatments
Burn-out treatments are available to everyone and are generally inexpensive: support from family and friends, a healthy lifestyle, no medication, healthy food. However, there are more effective treatments available:
Rest
Of course, when you’re tired, you need rest! In order to recover, the burn-out victim must be able to disconnect from work and all stress factors. Rest does not necessarily mean lying in bed. It is highly recommended to go for walks in quiet places, to take part in playful and relaxing activities such as gardening, pottery, painting, etc. Exercise to relieve stress is also a good way to heal from burn-out. On the other hand, screens should be avoided! This includes TV, computers, smartphones and game consoles.
Therapy with a professional
Getting help from a burn-out specialist in Paris allows you to identify the source of the problem and to take the necessary measures to avoid any recurrence. The help of a Gestalt-therapist coupled with the support of the family is particularly effective in getting the patient out of his state of exhaustion and getting him back to a good level of energy. Psychological support also allows the patient to adopt the right gestures and adequate reactions to the inevitable stress factors of daily life.
