Burnout

When burnout is discussed it usually raises several questions up front. What is burnout? Why do many people suffer from it? What are the causes? Why did it happen to me?

Burnout is an indistinct concept which makes it hard to stick one definition to it. As definitions usually lead to limitations in understanding scientists usually use a detour by describing burnout by its symptoms. This however usually doesn't help you much further in understanding burnout as there are probably more than a hundred symptoms which could lead to a diagnosis of having a burnout. And to make matters even more complicated. These hundred symptoms never manifest themselves at the same time. And even healthy people one time or another display several of these symptoms without even suffering from a burnout.

When people suffer from several burn out symptoms for a long time and when they only seem a shadow of the man or woman they were before, the diagnosis burnout seems to be in order.

When you consider burnout symptoms there are three symptoms that are very characteristic. In the first place people suffering from burnout suffer from chronic fatigue; they feel empty and squeezed out. Secondly they hardly feel any involvement with others. This is very unusual as these people formerly always stood ready to help others in their time of need and as these people always seem to work harder and longer than their colleagues, putting their heart and soul in everything they did. In the third place people suffering from burnout have the feeling that they perform less than average and they doubt their own competence and skills.

Along with these three main symptoms, people with a burnout display a variety of vague physical complains like head aches, dizziness, shortness of breath and stomach aches. These physical complaints as they linger on for a long time are usually the main reason why these people call upon their doctor.

Which symptoms appear is a result of somebody's physical and psychological weak spot. The physical and psychological shield weakens in the process of becoming a burnout victim. So for instance the strain of a burnout doesn't necessarily have to lead to psychological complaints but might just as well manifest themselves in heart and vascular diseases, strokes or even cancer. But to clear some possible misunderstanding. These diseases do not have to be a product of stress or burnout.

Burnout is probably caused by three factors. The duties and obligations somebody has (concerning work, family and leisure time), life events and problems. Together they form what could be called the "load" people have to carry. To be able to carry this load people show physical and mental strength and are able to lean on others (share the load). If the scale between load and carrying strength tips to the wrong side this could eventually lead to a burnout. So essentially people who's scales are unbalanced for a long time are prone to develop a burnout. Their load is simply to heavy to carry.

Take Care,

Raymond Le Blanc