Lifestyle

Burnout is now a medical condition – how to spot the signs



The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday listed burnout among its International Classification of Diseases – meaning burnout will be recognised as a medical condition as of 2020.

Burnout has become more prevalent in the last decade and the reason for this is “due to the increased load on workers as London companies downsize and add to the remaining employees’ workload,” Jacky Francis Walker, Harley Street psychotherapist explains.

Walker tells the Standard: “There’s a culture of long work hours – especially in the city of London – and a number of the workers are in high stress careers.

“Almost everyone I see has some degree of burnout, from the beginning signs to being well into it without even realising.”

Walker says burnout has historically been most prevalent in workers in their thirties and forties who have been working long hours, trying to climb the career ladder – but lately she has seen a rise in millennial’s succumbing to burnout.

“For the millennial generation, they are facing burnout due to uncertainty – uncertainly of the stability of their jobs, uncertainty if they will ever be able to buy a home and all with the added pressures of social media.”

The good news? Walker says burnout is entirely reversible.

But what is burnout?

While you can feel burnt out from a number of aspects of life, WHO defines it specifically in terms of a work-related illness. “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.

“It is characterized by three dimensions: 1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; 2) increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and 3) reduced professional efficacy. Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

Pablo Vandenabeele, Clinical Director for Mental Health at Bupa UK, tells the Standard: “Burnout describes when the pressure you’re under exceeds your ability to cope, leaving you exhausted and rundown.

“While a certain amount of stress – such as in the workplace – can be useful for making us productive and engaged at work, burnout refers to when stress levels become unmanageable, which can have a knock-on impact on our overall mental and physical wellbeing.”

How can you tell if you have burnout?

Vandenabeele says symptoms of burnout include insomnia or interrupted sleep, a weakened immune system, nausea and headaches along with low mood and irritability.

He explains: “If you notice these symptoms in yourself, or someone else, seeking medical help is an important first step.”

Walker adds: “Most people will notice an underlying state of fatigue or exhaustion, feeling emotionally numb, low or disconnected from things they used to care about, often finding 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.

“They are likely to be more susceptible to flu and other bugs and, as burnout progresses, may feel more emotionally vulnerable and unable to cope in the face of pressure. 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.”

What’s the best way to diagnose burnout?

While burnout is not yet officially recognised by the NHS, Walker recommends heading to a doctor to talk about your symptoms as burnout can lead to high stress and also cause similar symptoms of depression.

Vandenabeele adds: “Mental health issues can affect us at any age and it’s important to seek support without delay, as early diagnosis and treatment can improve recovery rates for conditions like burnout.”

What can you do if you feel burnt out?

Vandenabeele says the first thing you need to do is work out what’s causing the burnout for you.

He continues: “Work can often be a source of stress, but if this becomes overwhelming, make sure your employer is aware of your concerns so that you can manage your workload. We know that early diagnosis improves outcomes, so it’s important that everyone can recognise what’s happening to them and speak up.

“Ensuring you have a healthy diet, getting fresh air, exercising regularly, and taking regular breaks at work can help you avoid becoming stressed and rundown.”

Bupa’s Mental Health Direct Access service provides customers with fast access to mental health support when they need it, without the need for a GP referral.

Jacky Francis Walker is a psychotherapist at The Harley Consultancy, theharleyconsultancy.co.uk/

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