What are the signs and symptoms of burnout?
Chronic stress has real and substantial effects on body and brain.
Burnout signs are normally seen as falling into 1 of 3 main categories:
Although seen as a work-related problem, it can greatly impact energy and mood outside work, including relationships, health and sleep.
Burnout affects our body and how we think, feel and behave
In my experience of executive coaching and counselling, people greatly underestimate the potential effects of stress on the body. Let's delve a bit deeper into some of the most common problems caused.
Thinking (Cognitive) Burnout Symptoms
Doubting your skills. Worrying about whether you can cope and manage your work demands
Dwelling on a loss of purpose or achievement.
Excessive time spent comparing your performance to that of others.
Believing things will never change; looking for escape.
Focusing on work situations where you felt unjustly treated or unrecognised had negative interactions.
Focusing on how exhausted and drained you are and how unrewarding work is.
Feeling (Emotional) Burnout Symptoms
Depression or low mood
Feeling emotionally drained, numb
Disillusionment
Feeling trapped and hopeless
Shame guilt, anger or resentment
Stress, worry and overwhelm
Behavioural Burnout Symptoms
Severely lacking motivation
Procrastinating or avoiding aspects of work
Loss of pleasure in things outside of work
Social withdrawal, in and out of work
Becoming obsessive of work and prioritising it over own needs.
Becoming less effective or competent in work
Taking time off work, or the opposite - finding it very hard to take time off.
Withdrawing from colleagues.
Being more dismissive, critical or negative in interactions with others.
Irritability or outbursts of anger.
Using unhelpful coping methods, e.g,. alcohol, sleeping tablets.
Physical Burnout Symptoms
Feeling tired and drained most of the time.
Frequent headaches
Change in appetite or sleep habits.
Stress has a major impact on our immune system
Muscle or joint pain,
Gastric problems
Hypotension or cardiac symptoms
Lowered immunity, frequent illnesses.
Sleep disorders, insomnia and chronic fatigue
Type 2 diabetes
You'll see from the above that burnout includes emotional symptoms but also cognitive changes (i.e., in our thought processes) and behavioural changes. This is why Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a key tool in helping people return to a place of resilience and calm confidence.
Levels of Burnout
Some psychologists believe that you can define different ‘levels of burnout’. So, this describes there being a gradual deterioration in how you’re feeling and performing. Some talk of 4 or 5 levels; others describe up to 12 levels.
Rather than strict diagnostic criteria, these are more like descriptive ways of gauging an individual's situation.
5 levels typically referred to are depicted below:
NEXT Part 3: Causes of Burnout
PREVIOUS Part 1: What is Burnout
Why not subscribe for more useful, free information, including upcoming free webinars?
See my Uptrained Brain program or contact me to discuss executive coaching or counselling help with stress, burnout, imposter syndrome or low confidence.
Some sources & resources associated with this article series:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279286/#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cburnout%E2%80%9D%20was%20coined,ideals%20in%20%E2%80%9Chelping%E2%80%9D%20professions
Published by Dr Jill Williams, April 2023, Rethink Therapy incl Uptrained Brain. Executive Coach - Psychologist - Counsellor.
Comments