Burnout syndrome is a condition that occurs as a result of long-term and chronic stress disrupting a person’s mental, emotional and physical balance. Its mechanism begins with the body’s inability to maintain high cortisol levels when it is under constant stress. The brain becomes sensitive to the stress response. This manifests itself with symptoms such as fatigue, hopelessness and loss of motivation. Since the nervous system is constantly on alert, emotional resilience decreases, mental confusion and social relations may be broken. As the feeling of burnout progresses, it becomes difficult to cope with stress. Burnout syndrome manifests itself with emotional exhaustion, hopelessness and lack of motivation, especially in people who are under long-term stress. Burnout syndrome, which is mostly associated with business life, can negatively affect daily life and threaten a person’s productivity and general health.
What are the Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome?
Burnout syndrome symptoms are caused by the depletion of the body’s long-term stress coping mechanisms. Symptoms occur with overwork of certain areas of the brain that are exposed to prolonged stress. When stress hormones (especially cortisol) remain at high levels, the reward and pleasure centers in the brain begin to lose their function. This situation makes the person feel tired, reluctant and hopeless all the time. In addition, difficulty focusing, decision-making difficulties and increased levels of anxiety are observed. Over time, the person begins to feel inadequate and lose self-confidence.
What are the Physical Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome?
When a person is constantly under high expectations and intense pressure, their mental, emotional, and physical energy decreases. As a result, the body begins to give stress signals with physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep problems, digestive problems, etc. At the same time, the brain’s emotional regulation systems are overworked. Symptoms of emotional burnout syndrome such as loss of motivation, hopelessness and intolerance may occur. Physical symptoms of burnout syndrome include:
Chronic Fatigue: Chronic fatigue is one of the most obvious physical symptoms of burnout syndrome. It is defined as a continuous and intense low energy that does not improve with rest. It manifests itself with complaints such as loss of motivation for daily tasks and waking up tired in the morning. A person’s physical energy is quickly depleted, and even simple tasks become challenging. Fatigue can affect work or private life, leading to a decrease in overall quality of life.
Headache and Muscle Pain: Headaches and muscle aches are common physical symptoms in burnout syndrome. Headaches occur with increased stress and tension and can last throughout the day. Muscle pain, on the other hand, is felt especially in the neck, shoulder and back area. Muscles are constantly contracted and tense due to stress.
Sleep Disorders: Sleep disorders are common in burnout syndrome and make it difficult for the person to recover. Sleep disorders can manifest themselves in forms such as insomnia, waking up frequently at night, or feeling tired in the morning.
Immune System Weakness: Burnout syndrome weakens the immune system and reduces the person’s resistance to diseases. Chronic stress can suppress the body’s defense mechanisms, leading to more frequent colds, flu, or other infections. It can also prolong recovery times.
Digestive Problems: Burnout syndrome can lead to various problems on the digestive system. Stress and tension can cause increased stomach acid and gastrointestinal imbalance, triggering complaints such as stomach pain, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation.
Cardiovascular Symptoms: Burnout syndrome can also manifest itself with cardiovascular symptoms. Chronic stress can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure fluctuations. High cortisol levels can raise blood pressure, threatening heart health in the long term. Symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain or shortness of breath can adversely affect the cardiovascular system, especially if they are accompanied by burnout syndrome. It is important to start the treatment process to avoid long-term effects.
How Does Burnout Syndrome Pass?
Coping with burnout syndrome starts with recognizing and reducing sources of stress. The level of the situation should be learned by performing a burnout syndrome test by a psychiatrist who is an expert in the field. Afterwards, the decisions taken in the presence of a doctor or psychologist should be acted upon. Taking small breaks contributes to the process of maintaining a work-life balance and allocating time to activities of interest. Physical activity, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep also help the body better cope with stress. At the same time, it is important to get social support, share feelings, and be able to say “no” when necessary. Setting goals realistically and recognizing your own limits also improves the process.
How long does burnout syndrome last?
The duration of burnout syndrome varies according to how the person manages their sources of stress, how much opportunity they can find to rest, and whether they receive support. Some people may experience short-term improvement, while in others, symptoms can last from a few months to several years. Rest, healthy living habits, boundary-setting skills, and social support can shorten the duration of burnout. If the symptoms persist, getting professional support for the answer to the question “How long does burnout syndrome last?” can help you get through the process faster.
What Causes Burnout Syndrome?
Burnout syndrome often occurs as a result of prolonged stress and overload. Factors such as constantly high expectations at work, intense work tempo, lack of adequate support, role ambiguities or pressure to succeed are among the main causes of burnout syndrome. When a person cannot maintain a work-life balance and cannot spare time for himself, he begins to feel mental collapse. In addition, personal traits, such as perfectionism or tendencies such as “inability to say no”, can also increase the risk of burnout.
How Is Burnout Syndrome Treated?
The main approach to treating burnout syndrome is to manage stressors and strengthen self-care. First of all, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional about “How does burnout syndrome go?” to start the diagnosis and treatment process. Psychotherapy (especially cognitive behavioral therapy), stress management strategies, and sometimes medication can be used in treatment. Ensuring sleep patterns, creating a balanced nutrition plan, turning to physical activity and receiving social support also contribute to the treatment. Treatment methods are as follows:
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is an effective treatment approach to cope with difficult emotional processes such as burnout syndrome. The most commonly used type of therapy in the case of burnout is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing the person’s stressful thought patterns and strengthening coping skills. During the therapy process, the person is supported in identifying and managing their emotions. It is ensured that the person can maintain a work-life balance, regain their self-worth, and develop healthier coping strategies with stress.
Medication: Drug treatment of burnout syndrome is recommended by the psychiatrist depending on the severity of the condition. Medications such as antidepressants or anxiolytics can often be used. Medications are preferred to alleviate the emotional burden caused by stress and to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The treatment process is individually arranged and the effectiveness and side effects of the drug are regularly monitored. Medicines alone do not offer a solution. Its application in combination with psychotherapy provides the most effective results.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness and relaxation techniques increase mental resilience in coping with burnout syndrome. Mindfulness is a technique used to focus one’s attention on the moment, observe one’s thoughts without judgment, and increase one’s awareness. Sources of stress are handled more objectively. Relaxation techniques, on the other hand, calm the mind and body with practices such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation. When applied regularly, it improves mood by facilitating stress management.
If face-to-face therapy is not available, online therapy can be a very effective alternative in the treatment of burnout syndrome. The online psychologist also removes barriers such as distance. Many psychotherapy methods, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are successfully applied on online platforms.
