What is Burnout?

We all might expect work to be stressful, and even exhausting, at times - but at what stage does this become a health-threatening issue? This month, burnout has been officially recognised by WHO as an 'occupational syndrome'. It's hoped that this new definition of burnout as a recognisable syndrome it was previously classified by WHO as 'a state of vital exhaustion' will help those suffering.

We spoke to some of our welldoing.org therapists who specialise in burnout to find out more about how this syndrome is affecting people.

The symptoms of burn out

Different from simple tiredness, burn out is a state of "mental, emotional and physical exhaustion," says therapist Ilana Bakal. "As WHO defines, burnout relates to the working environment, specifically from from long-term involvement challenging and demanding workplace."

We might push ourselves at work in a bid to do our best, to impress our boss, or further our career. But there is a limit to what we can do, and burnout often arises as a failure to recognise these limits. Far from helping us to progress in work, pushing ourselves to the point of burnout impairs our ability to do our job. "People with burnout find themselves in 'survival mode' where the priority is to get through the day on their reduced energy levels, with little left over to 'thrive' or for enjoyment," explains therapist Jacky Francis Walker.

Beyond the physical symptoms of burnout, this syndrome carries a host of psychological symptoms. "Apathy, self-blame, feelings of being a failure, feeling disconnected from colleagues and friends - and all of these, if left unchecked, can lead to or worsen other mental health difficulties like depression," explains Ilana Bakal.

"As with stress, we often lose insight that we are getting caught up in a state of burnout, so others may notice it before we do," says Jacky Francis Walker. So, how can we recognise burnout in ourselves? Try asking yourself the following questions:

• Has anyone I know asked me to cut back on work?
• Do I feel angry or irritated by colleagues, clients or patients?
• Am I spending enough time with people outside of work? Or are my relationships suffering?
• Do I feel in control of my emotions or do I often lash out?