In today's fast-paced professional world, burnout is an increasingly prevalent issue across various sectors in the UK and globally.
As a Consultant Psychiatrist, I have personally witnessed the profound impact of burnout on individuals. Affected individuals have ranged from healthcare professionals to corporate executives, educators, and many more.
I believe that it is important to talk about this issue, and its relationship with the modern work culture, especially in the United Kingdom.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged and excessive stress. Affected professionals feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to cope with the continuous demands of their jobs. This results in reduced efficacy at work, a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, and, in many cases, a crippling detachment from their duties.
The Three Dimensions of Burnout
- Emotional Exhaustion: This is often the initial warning sign of burnout. Professionals describe feeling drained, lacking the energy to be productive, and being unable to handle the demands of their roles.
- Depersonalization: As burnout progresses, there's an increased feeling of detachment from job responsibilities. Individuals might start seeing their job or clients as irritating, or they may become cynical about their work environment.
- Reduced Personal Accomplishment: Over time, people may feel a decreased sense of personal achievement. Tasks that once brought satisfaction now feel insurmountable, leading to feelings of incompetence.
Why Burnout is on the increase in Professionals
Burnout is a complex issue that can be caused by lots of factors. Here are some reasons why Burnout occur in professionals.
- Workload: Overwork is a main cause of burnout. Working too many hours could lead to generalised body aches, exhaustion, high levels of cortisol, sleep loss, and more. It is useful to note here that the current high cost of living has been making professionals choose to work overtime in order to make ends meet, resulting in more cases of Burnout.
- Lack of control: People Feeling like they lack autonomy, access to resources, and a say in decisions that impact their professional lives can lead to burnout in professionals.
- Work-life imbalance: Work-life interference can result in work-related burnout. Professionals who struggle to keep work and home life seperate, are likely to suffer from burnout.
- Values mismatch: This is an important consideration that could result in Burnout. If a professional highly values something that their employing company does not, their motivation to work hard and persevere can significantly drop.
- Perceived lack of support: Feeling unsupported by colleagues or management can lead to burnout. A great support system around the workplace could reduce the incidents of burnout amongst employees.
The Modern Catalysts
In the United Kingdom, as in other parts of the world, the digital age has blurred the boundaries between work and personal life. The societal pressure of 'hustle culture' and the glorification of overwork, has only intensified this issue. The resultant 'always on' mode means that professionals are rarely unplugged, mentally or electronically, from their roles. It is therefore no surprise that a lot of people in our modern world report felling burnt out
Health Implications
Beyond the mental strain, burnout has tangible health consequences. Chronic stress, a major component of burnout, has been linked to a host of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, immune system suppression, gastrointestinal problems, and even alterations in brain structures and functions.
From a psychiatric standpoint, burnout can lead to depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. It's a vicious cycle: stress leads to burnout, which, in turn, exacerbates further mental health challenges, contributing to a detrimental cycle.
Tackling Burnout in the UK
Recognizing burnout is the first crucial step. It often creeps up insidiously and can be mistaken for temporary stress or a challenging week at work. It is vital to differentiate between short term stress and chronic burnout.
Once identified, quick intervention is needed. Here are some strategies that could help:
- Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. This may involve disconnecting from work emails outside of working hours or designating specific days for rest.
- Seek Support: Discussing work-related stress with a supervisor or mentor can provide valuable insights and coping mechanisms. They can often offer a different perspective or solutions you might not have considered.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care goes beyond occasional relaxation. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices can create a buffer against the negative effects of chronic stress.
- Professional Help: Talking therapies, can provide tools and strategies to manage stress more effectively. In some cases, medication may also be recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Please seek professional help if struggling.
Final Thoughts
Burnout is a reflection of our modern professional landscape in the UK, where the line between dedication and self-destruction is often blurred. As professionals, recognizing our limits and seeking help when required is not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to our self-awareness and commitment to personal and professional growth.
As a Consultant Psychiatrist, my plea is simple: let's destigmatize burnout and engage in open conversations. Let us recognize it, address it, and most importantly, prevent it. The well-being of our professionals, and by extension, our society, depends on it.
Do check out my website: https://jesampsychiatry.com/ for more information on mental health issues and other mental health resources
Written by
Dr Babor Aganren. MD, MRCPsych. https://jesampsychiatry.com/