Burnout syndrome - how to get out of it and how to prevent it

Long-lasting, unrelenting pressure in working life can bring something much more severe besides a bad mood - burnout syndrome. All appetite for further progress disappears; the person is permanently worn down, sees no future in anything and perceives his efforts as useless. These are just some consequences if you let this disease develop fully. Of course, it is better to avoid it altogether, and there are specific preventive measures, but in even the worst-case scenario, you can be helped. It will just take longer.

What is burnout syndrome

As of 2019, burnout syndrome is on the official list of diseases. It is a condition that arises from prolonged work stress and is most common in professions with the main task of helping others. It is an illness that will have an overall negative impact on both your work and personal life. It doesn't go away on its own; it needs to be actively addressed, and professional help should be sought for demonstrable results.

Burnout syndrome: symptoms

Burnout manifests slowly, even creepingly, and not all symptoms need to appear simultaneously or entirely.

The main symptoms of burnout include: 

• prolonged fatigue and incomprehensible exhaustion, 

• insomnia, 

• memory lapses, 

• difficulty concentrating on even relatively simple activities, 

• intense anxiety, 

• an inability to enjoy oneself, 

• persistent periods of pessimism or hopelessness, 

• visibly impaired work performance, 

• demotivation to work and other activities, 

• a decrease in sexual arousal, 

• voluntary isolation and, 

• complete apathy.

If you or someone you know is beginning to experience similar conditions, these may be the hidden beginnings of burnout syndrome. It's time to be alert.

Preventing burnout syndrome

Since burnout comes from the pressure of working for others, working on yourself is the best remedy and first aid. This doesn't mean going self-employed immediately, but instead, you should get hobbies, force yourself to relax, be active, reward yourself, and maybe get bored. And do it regularly and all the time. You need to reduce the stress levels in your body with dopamine and other substances that charge the body and make it happy to function.

Treating burnout syndrome

Treatment for burnout syndrome is possible, but be prepared for it to take as long as it takes the sufferer to develop the condition. But it will eventually heal. This is because it is essential to remove all the problems, both in the body and in the mind, that have accumulated in them. And this is not a matter of snapping your fingers. 

Contact our specialists, who will give you tailored advice on how to get out of it and expertly help you heal.