You put your heart and soul into your work and can’t stop. Then, all of a sudden, you feel increasingly tired. This condition is known as burnout. It’s a condition linked to the world of work. Not to be confused with depression, which is not always linked to working life.

It can, however, be an aggravating factor in burnout. Also, the symptoms of depression and the signs of burn out can be linked. In fact, burnout is defined as a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion due to excessive stress. It is not a mental illness, but a set of symptoms…

Causes of burnout

Burnout affects many more people than you might think. Those most prone to burnout are the most productive. In other words, the more you love your work and are committed to it, the more likely you are to develop it. But before we talk about the signs of burnout, it’s important to talk about the risk factors.

It’s no easy task to pinpoint the biological causes of burnout. If ever, there are any. However, experts agree that affected workers go through a period of great fatigue and chronic stress. The factors identified can therefore be as follows:

Work overload,
Lack of communication or clarity of objectives,
Resources not adapted to objectives,
Feeling of powerlessness in the workplace,
Lack of recognition by employer,
Feeling of insecurity at work,
Etc…

The signs of burnout then gradually appear. It goes without saying that burnout is closely linked to the stress it causes.

As mentioned above, it is most common in people who are highly committed to their profession. Indeed, conscientious, perfectionist workers are more prone to burnout than others. The same applies to individuals with low self-esteem or emotional instability. Burn out can affect all types of employment, regardless of gender. Both men and women are susceptible to this ailment.

Signs of burnout: how to detect them?

Diagnosing a case of burnout is quite difficult. But detecting it is essential, as it can have serious consequences, such as attention deficit.

However, unlike other illnesses, the physiological signs of burnout are not visible. It is not included in any of the official classifications used by specialists to diagnose pathology. To determine whether a patient is suffering from burnout, the doctor will need to interview the patient. This is to assess the patient’s working conditions, stress management, the severity of the disorder and any signs of burnout.

The symptoms of burnout are so varied that they can be confusing. They can even be confused with those of depression. They are so numerous that they can be broken down into physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms. What’s more, the way they feel varies from one worker to another. Some may even be affected without knowing what’s happening to them. And that can make them even more confused! It is therefore advisable to seek medical advice to find out whether you are suffering from this problem or not.

Let’s take a look at the signs of burnout.

PHYSICAL SIGNS
The first signs are reduced energy and persistent fatigue. At first, you’re very enthusiastic. But little by little, you lose your drive. Then, without knowing why, you feel constantly tired, even after a long night’s sleep. This fatigue then continues for a long time, leading to other disorders:

Sleep problems (over-sleeping or severe insomnia)
Headaches, dizziness, fainting spells
Pain all over, cramps, stiff neck…
Weakened immune system
Eating disorders
Etc…

Signs of burn out include a loss of appetite or an incessant desire to eat. This can lead to anorexia or bulimia respectively.

Many people experience digestive problems due to nervousness. Muscle pain is known to be a symptom of burnout. And so the stomach, which is also a muscle, weakens (which can be quite common and quite dangerous in people with muscular disorders, such as spasmophiliacs). As a result, indigestion, constipation and diarrhea are also signs of burnout.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS
Burn out also progressively affects the mind. First, you feel psychologically tired. It’s as if something is missing, but you don’t know what exactly. You feel powerless in the face of everything. You feel alone, even if you’re surrounded by people. But at the same time, you don’t want to see anyone.

At work, you feel totally overwhelmed. You feel like you’re always in a rush, and have trouble coping with stress and the unexpected. You lose interest in everything and don’t feel like doing anything. The signs of burn out are becoming more and more noticeable, and increasing at lightning speed.

What happens next? You procrastinate until you realize you’ve done nothing with your time. Heavy feelings of powerlessness and disappointment gradually lead to depression…

In the end, you resign yourself and decide to quit. The work was becoming too much, not to mention your self-esteem, which had sunk to an all-time low. With anxiety attacks preventing peace of mind and irritability on the rise, who wouldn’t be demoralized?

SIGNS OF BURN OUT ON BEHAVIOR
Burn out can be recognized by the way an individual behaves. You’ll notice a certain cynicism you’ve never seen before. Your burn-out friend will develop a negative attitude. He or she will tend to overreact, making exaggerated and hurtful remarks.

A person prone to burnout becomes impulsive and aggressive, whether in their actions or verbally. They gradually become isolated. Originally warm-hearted and outgoing, they will begin to prefer avoidance. She won’t want to see friends or family. She will withdraw into herself and abandon all activity.

The behavioral signs of burn out are also characterized by an increase in stimulant consumption. The person becomes addicted to vitamins, coffee, alcohol or even drugs. Sometimes, this is even the source of aggression.

But in contrast to impulsivity, we then develop difficulties and even an inability to make decisions. By doing nothing, the brain becomes numb.

You become depressed and don’t know what to do with your life. You even start to feel paranoid. And in the worst case, you become suicidal.