Occupational burnout is a psychological reaction to chronic stress resulting from workloads. It is a serious problem that affects a growing number of people. Find out what occupational burnout is, take the initial test, and learn about the solutions.
Occupational burnout – occupational stress
Until a few decades ago, the term professional burnout was a taboo subject. To take any action meant admitting that even professionals could act unprofessionally. Much has changed since then, researchers and other specialists have confirmed the professional burnout syndrome (burnout). It is a widely recognized phenomenon.
Professional burnout refers to occupational stress that is long-lasting in nature. Although it is not a disease entity, it can have serious individual, social and organizational consequences. One of the most serious consequences of occupational burnout is depression.
According to the WHO, characteristic of occupational burnout is:
- feelings of exhaustion,
- mental distance from work, negativism or cynicism,
- lower professional effectiveness
What is occupational burnout? Maslach stages of occupational burnout
According to Christine Maslach, occupational burnout progresses gradually, following the following pattern:
- Emotional exhaustion – physical fatigue appears, there is an unpleasant reaction of the body, gastrointestinal complaints, headaches, sleep problems, chronic fatigue, weakening of the immune system. Work duties become overwhelming. This promotes limited contact with clients or patients. Exhaustion with others, results in increased interruptions.
- Depersonalization – manifests itself through physical or mental distancing from one’s clients, or patients.
- Lack of a sense of personal achievement and competence in relation to work. It manifests itself in a conviction of one’s own incompetence and lack of control over professional matters. There are difficulties in concentrating on the problem and mastering emotions, as well as dissatisfaction and resentment with the work.
Causes of professional burnout
The most common causes of occupational burnout are:
- Excessive demands at work. Excessive workload, demanding deadlines, volume of work and lack of control over work time.
- Lack of social support. Lack of support from colleagues, supervisors or business partners can lead to isolation and increased stress.
- Improper management. Management based on excessive supervision, lack of clear goals, lack of recognition for accomplishments and lack of professional development opportunities.
- Organizational injustice. Unfair treatment, preference for certain employees, lack of fairness in rewarding commitment, can cause frustration and cynicism.
- Lack of recognition for work. Lack of appreciation for efforts and success at work can lead to feelings of worthlessness.
- Inappropriate job fit. Lack of appropriate skills or competence for the job can lead to feelings of incompetence and frustration.
- Monotony and lack of variety. Performing repetitive tasks with no opportunity for change can lead to feelings of boredom and loss of interest in work.
- Inadequate work-life balance. Overstepping the boundaries between work and personal life, lack of time for oneself and one’s loved ones.
- In the case of professions, related to helping e.g. doctor, psychotherapist, lifeguard, nurse – frequent exposure to other people’s trauma and suffering.
Questionnaire of Professional Burnout (KWZ)
Take the occupational burnout test. Find out how often you have feelings such as those listed below?
Use the following scale to express this frequency:
0 – Never
1 – Several times a year
2 – Once a month
3 – Several times a month
4 – Once a week
5 – Several times a week
6 – Every day
- _________My work makes me feel emotionally drained/exhausted.
- _________At the end of the work day, I feel “exhausted.”
- _________When I get up in the morning, I feel exhausted/ tired when I have to face another day of intense work.
- _________I find it easy to know what attitude to various issues the people with whom I have professional relations have.
- _________I catch myself treating some people at work routinely, objectively, indifferently.
- _________Daily work with people is really stressful for me.
- _________I am very effective in solving problems with people with whom I have professional contacts
- _________My work makes me feel “burned out/burnt out”.
- _________I believe that I make a positive impact on other people’s lives through my work.
- _________I have become very cool to people since I took up my job.
- _________I am afraid that this job makes me emotionally insensitive.
- _________I think I’m very energetic.
- _________My job makes me feel frustrated.
- _________I feel that I work too hard professionally.
- _________I really don’t care all that much about the people I interact with professionally.
- _________I find working with people too stressful.
- _________I can easily create a mood of relaxation in people with whom I have professional contacts.
- _________Direct work with people gives me strength and energy.
- _________What I have accomplished in this job has been worth the effort.
- _________I feel that I am at the end of my endurance.
- _________I solve emotional problems in my work very calmly.
- _________I think that the people I interact with professionally hold me responsible for some of their problems.
Results – test
0-19 points – you do not experience symptoms of professional burnout.
20-39 points – occupational burnout is unlikely to affect you, however, be alert/sensitive. You may feel excessive fatigue or frustration at times, but you are capable of dealing with it on your own.
40-59 points – there is a high probability that the problem of professional burnout, affects you. This is not an advanced stage, but this condition will worsen if you do not take protective measures.
Above 60 points – you are experiencing the vast majority of symptoms of professional burnout, in very high intensity. You should definitely seek help.
People at risk of occupational burnout
Consider all the factors that may be contributing to your burnout. Minimizing the risk of occupational burnout should include analysis of all sources. The sooner you recognize and respond to the first symptoms of burnout, the sooner you will recover. Look for solutions, use the help of others (co-workers, superiors, specialists). Be creative, don’t be afraid of change, there is no situation without a way out. Take care of your rest, regeneration, provide yourself with a lot of positive emotions.
Treatment of professional burnout
Cooperation with a coach or psychotherapist, in the context of the problem of burnout, varies depending on whether the goal of the work is prevention or already specific interventions.
An important aspect of psychotherapeutic work is to work on emotional regulation and changes in habits in the areas of work-rest. The sphere of work and related behavior change can be difficult in people with high levels of perfectionism. Working on reducing standards,slowing down in daily life(slow life) can be one of the main goals of psychotherapeutic interventions.
Emotional regulation will be important for people with high neuroticism – who tend to experience more negative emotions, worry and lower resistance to stress.
A coach can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms to deal with stress and professional pressures. An important aspect of working with a coach will be developing your ability to plan and set short-term and long-term goals. Helpfully, you may find it helpful to improve your communication skills, deal with conflict and build healthier relationships in the workplace.
If you are struggling with professional burnout, take care of your health and schedule an appointment – online psychotherapy and online coaching.
Bibliography: