Understanding Burnout Syndrome: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Coping Strategies

Introduction

The WHO (World Health Organization) has recognized burnout as a mental condition that is also referred to as occupational burnout. It is a condition that has a clear emotional reason and develops in the work environment. The primary cause of this condition is work-related anxiety, and one of the distinct symptoms of burnout syndrome is the combination of the worker's pace of life and depression while working. The employee shows the first signs of burnout syndrome in the work environment when the disorder begins to appear, but the syndrome takes over other areas of life until it becomes an active part of the family and social life of the affected person.

What Are the Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome?

There are many symptoms of burnout syndrome, which include:

• A feeling of loneliness and helplessness in the work environment, especially from the employees, including the boss.

• Lack of energy at work.

• Negativity, irritation, distancing from co-workers in the workplace.

• Lack of collaboration with colleagues.

• A fall in job performance leads to frustrations and creates feelings of failure.

• Problems with concentration at work.

• Inability to achieve anything which generates a feeling of being overwhelmed.

• Constant nervousness, stress, and increased aggressiveness.

• Physical discomforts, such as headache, anxiety, and below-average performance.

• Communication problems in the work environment, including tachycardia and anxiety.

What Are the Causes of Burnout?

The appearance of the first symptoms of burnout is often preceded by some very specific causes which occur in the workplace:

• Excessive stress level, workload.

• Lack of confidence to act at work.

• Poor job relationships.

• Lack of resources for effectively performing each task.

• Lack of training resources in the workplace that enables the taste to be carried out successfully and efficiently.

• Not receiving enough support in their personal life.

• Prolonged working hours are also the cause of these types of disorders.

What Are the Risk Factors of Burnout Syndrome?

There are several risk factors that can affect the person to a great extent. Some of the risk factors are listed below:

1. High Job Expectations - Due to high expectations in job profiles, people get disappointed when they do not meet expectations, which can lead to burnout syndrome.

2. Work Overload - Excessive workload is often considered a triggering factor for burnout syndrome. When demand constantly pushes beyond capacity, energy sources are overloaded, stamina gives up, and chances of burnout increase rapidly. Excessive working hours can keep an individual directly connected with stress, anxiety, tension, depression, and many more.

3. Lack of Control - The individual who is under risk factors should be very cautious about the criteria to control and manage their work by discussing it with the office head. The office manager should be very flexible regarding the working hours, deadlines, emails, schedules, or other stressors that create a work environment that feels out of control.

4. Insufficient Reward - Extreme workload makes individuals work hard, which leads to increased expectations from the office to be rewarded with posts and designations. Having to make continuous efforts beyond the call of duty or job responsibilities without reward deepens loss of trust and lack of commitment, and they are twice as likely to have heart disease.

5. Absence of Loyalty - As the staff who are recruited in huge numbers have been given the joining letters in which office norms, conditions, facilities, paid leaves, salary, and holidays were mentioned. If the company does not get fair enough with the norms, conditions, and salary, loyalty fades, and bitterness steps in, which leads to a personal grudge. Many staff has a feeling that their promises are not being kept, their efforts are not valued, and they can be replaced at any time, which leads to burnout syndrome.

6. Community - High turnover, mergers, and constant changes within organizations can ruin our support systems and leave employees helpless as they try to do more than they are equipped for. People feel more destroyed when there is a sense that no one cares, engagement disappears, and the risk of burnout grows as trust fades.

7. Conflicts - In companies, there are few employees who are the favorite of the company, and no one can replace them even if someone is doing so well to be appreciated. This may lead to a conflicting environment because the expectation of staff from the company is higher, and if they feel that they are not equally treated, then there must be a conflict between two staff which will ruin the office environment, and also a person can suffer from burnout syndrome.

How Can Burnout Syndrome Be Treated?

There are several ways to prevent burnout syndrome, some of which are listed below:

• Have an Honest Conversation With the Employer - If someone starts feeling exhausted by the job, they can talk to the rest of the employees and can ask for help in obtaining a different position or different responsibilities to regain motivation at work.

• Take Leave From Work - Taking a break from the office work environment and going on a vacation with family and friends might help someone in relieving stress and having a fresh start in the working place.

• Change the Routine - Unhealthy lifestyle is a big reason for getting stressed too quickly and having mood swings. It is important to live a healthy lifestyle which includes meditation, joining a group or club to explore interests, exercise, having green leafy vegetables, fluid intake, positive social interaction, talking to a family member or friend, and avoiding late-night work.

• Change up the Working Environment - One can talk to the manager to change the desk timings, engage with co-workers differently, take frequent breaks throughout the day, set daily goals to improve confidence and make new friends, which can help in managing workload.

Conclusion

Burnout syndrome is very common these days, where people are exploited by the staff and boss. It is very important to raise one’s hand against any misbehavior or unfair means performed by any staff. At the same time, it is very important to behave in a friendly manner with each staff member in the office. Living a healthy lifestyle helps in managing the signs and symptoms of burnout.