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In the early 1970s, if you told someone you were suffering from the utterly exhausting state of burnout, few might have raised eyebrows.
Because the term was unofficially used to describe the side effects faced by heavy drug users.
However, when German-American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger first identified the problem of burnout in 1974 at a hospital for drug addicts and the homeless in New York City, he did not narrowly think of it as a problem for drug users.
Volunteers working at the hospital also faced difficulties due to overwork. Many people become depressed and emotionally exhausted. As a result they are unable to focus on their patients.
Freudenberger defined this dangerous condition as the state of exhaustion caused by continuous overwork. He used the word burnout to describe it.
Work-related fatigue has become universal today. In 2018, 5,95,000 people suffered from workplace stress in Britain alone.
Athletes, YouTube celebrities, entrepreneurs are also affected by this condition. Ultimately, Freudenberger himself suffered from the condition.
The World Health Organization announced late last month that the problem would be recognized in the latest international disease manual. It describes the problem as an illness caused by chronic workplace stress that is not properly managed.
The World Health Organization states that burnout has three components: feeling tired, lacking interest in work, and poor performance at work.
Feeling tired
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How do you know when you’re almost exhausted?
“Many of the symptoms that precede burnout are similar to those of depression,” says Siobhan Murray, a psychotherapist in County Dublin, Ireland, and author of The Burnout Solution.
Bad habits like drinking too much alcohol and too much sugar can increase, says Murray.
He also says that despite a good night’s sleep, he always feels tired, thinking about bedtime at 10 a.m. and not having the energy to exercise or walk.
Murray advises to see a doctor immediately if you feel this way.
Depression, a state of complete exhaustion, is the same. It is important to seek the help of a medical professional to distinguish between the two. Because while there are many treatments for depression, lifestyle changes are the best way to combat the feeling of utter exhaustion.
How do you know if you’re truly completely exhausted or simply facing a challenging month? “Really, stress is necessary, and anxiety is what makes us perform better. But when we’re constantly exposed to stress and anxiety, it pushes us into a state of complete exhaustion,” says Murray.
For example, take the big project you’re doing. It’s normal to feel very stressed when you think about it. It might even keep you up at night.
“If it’s still making you feel restless after the job is done, consider whether you’re completely exhausted,” says Murray.
Other signs that you are approaching the point of total burnout include feeling that your work isn’t worth much, avoiding social obligations, and being easily disappointed.
London-based psychologist Jackie Francis Walker says the ultimate sign of burnout is when the quality of your work starts to decline.
“It’s not me! I’m not going to be like this, I’d normally do all these things. But if they’re in a state of physical exhaustion, they don’t have the natural skills,” says Walker.
Although it sounds counterscientific, the Muscle Burnout Inventory (MPI), a test designed to measure the state of absolute burnout, helps. It is used to measure fatigue, hopelessness, and how well you perform at work.
This test, first published in 1981, has been cited in many studies.
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Are you completely pre-exhausted?
The only way to avoid reaching a state of complete exhaustion is to identify the cause of the problem.
Walker has a three-step plan. It involves identifying why there is a mismatch between what a person is capable of and what they think others expect of them.
“This can sometimes be because they feel like they have to be too perfect, or because of imposter syndrome, where we try hard to hide the fact that we’re not what others think we are,” says Walker.
However, sometimes the working environment is problematic. A 2018 study of 7,500 American workers found that unfair treatment at work, an unmanageable workload and lack of clarity about what a person’s job is all lead to burnout. It was found that the lack of support from the manager and unreasonable time pressure also caused the employees to suffer from high stress.
“Another problem can be when the company’s policies are in serious conflict with the employee’s own policies. Doing something they don’t believe in creates a sense of dissatisfaction in them,” says Walker.
Sometimes his clients solve this problem by engaging in mental activities outside of office work. But rarely do they decide to make drastic changes, such as changing companies or choosing new jobs.
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Whatever may be causing you to feel tired, be honest with yourself, says Murray.
Murray says the main cause of total burnout is today’s culture of wanting it all.
“It’s often impossible to have a healthy social life, complete a big project, and achieve personal fitness goals all at once. It’s important to prioritize the essentials and not expect too much of yourself,” says Murray.
If you are heading towards a state of complete exhaustion, find the cause of the problem and get rid of it.
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