You hear about it more and more: burnout. It’s starting to feel like an epidemic — we all know someone who’s on sick leave due to exhaustion.
But burnout is not the same as being overstressed. The difference is that overstress can usually be reversed if the source of stress is removed. With burnout, you’re completely drained. Overstress can develop quickly and also disappear quickly, whereas burnout often builds up over the course of several years. Not all healthcare providers use the same definition of burnout, which can add to the confusion.
Stress can come from work, but also from financial problems, having too many responsibilities, caring for someone who is seriously ill, or juggling a heavy mix of work, family life, and/or studies. Major life events like divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one can also be extremely stressful.
Earlier this year, it was reported that 7.5 million workdays are lost annually due to mental health issues. And those on sick leave due to psychological complaints are taking increasingly longer to return to work. The average recovery time is now over 7 months — and sometimes more than a year.
The symptoms can be very diverse, and physical complaints are common too. Think of trouble sleeping, emotional sensitivity, problems with concentration and memory, feelings of guilt, and getting sick more easily. Burnout can also occur alongside depression.
So don’t wait — catch it early!