The ‘Burn-Out syndrome’ results from a state of chronic work stress , its distinctive note being that it affects all areas of life and not only the professional.
This ‘burnout worker syndrome’ appears when a work situation overwhelms us and our capacity for acceptance is reduced, and it is characterized by a triad: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of personal fulfillment. This picture generates different degrees of work disability, such as work absenteeism, increased morbidity (both in the somatic sphere and in the mental area), increase in drug addiction and even an increase in the suicide rate. In some countries it is considered an occupational disease.
Among the causes of the ‘Burn-Out syndrome’ – also called ‘burn-out syndrome’, ‘Tomas syndrome’ or ‘professional burnout syndrome’ – we can mention the drop in the social value of the profession in our country, the work overload, the lack of resources, the time pressure, the decrease in remuneration and incentives of different types.
The following factors are recognized as inherent to experiencing suffering and work stress: the nature of the task, the organizational and institutional variable, the interpersonal variable (colleagues, family, friends, and social support networks), the individual variable (personal characteristics such as age, sex, experience, personality traits).
The most vulnerable groups are made up of those who require personal involvement, a constant and direct relationship with people: health professionals, education, public services and social services.
Characteristic elements of the ‘burned-out worker syndrome’
- Emotional exhaustion. It is characterized by progressive loss of energy, wear and tear, exhaustion, fatigue.
- Depersonalization. It is manifested by a negative change in attitudes and responses towards others. This being the element with the highest hierarchy.
- Lack of personal fulfillment. Tendency to a negative self-evaluation, which compromises the quality of task performance with inability to withstand pressure, and low self-esteem.
Symptoms of ‘burnout syndrome’
- Physiological. Physical exhaustion, fatigue, recurring colds, appetite disturbances, painful muscle contractures, headaches, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, cardiac arrhythmias.
- Psychological. Irritability, anxiety, depressive traits, emotional liability, sadness and hopelessness, rigid and inflexible attitudes, feelings of job frustration and depersonalization.
- Behavioral. Expressions of hostility, impulsive behaviors, inability to concentrate at work, minimal contact with people, increased conflictual relationships, late arrival and early departures, increased absenteeism, cynical attitude, and increased consumption of coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, psychotropic drugs and drugs.
Evolution of the ‘burnout syndrome’
- Mild form. Those affected present vague and non-specific physical symptoms (headaches, back pain, low back pain), the affected person becomes inoperative.
- Moderate shape. Appears insomnia, attention deficit and concentration, tendency to self-medication.
- Grave form. Greater absenteeism, dislike for homework, cynicism, alcohol abuse and psychotropic drugs.
- Extreme form. Isolation, existential crises, chronic depression, suicide risk. We can conclude, then, that among the complications of ‘Burn-Out syndrome’ are personal or professional abandonment, chronic depression, alcoholism, drug addiction and even suicide. Currently, the economy of mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies and unemployment is spreading the ‘Burn-out’, being job insecurity one of the most stressful factors and also the lack of decision about one’s own work, something common in a world of large companies. Corporations.
By way of conclusion we can say that the common factor in all ‘burn-out’ situations is the denial and absence of professional expectations for the worker. The psychotherapeutic approach focuses on reorienting the mentality, re-educating work habits and learning to control stress. It is useful to foster social support with peers and family members to reduce stress levels, provide employees with stress coping techniques, and consider the syndrome as a factor in initial occupational risk assessments.