Learn more about The Stages Of Burnout and how to tackle burnout.
When we experience psychological symptoms, it is common to eventually want to determine if they stem from a mental disorder. Receiving diagnosis can provide comfort because there are typically effective treatment options available and a wealth of understanding about how symptoms may develop.
Phases are commonly used to describe the development of a disease. This article focuses on the stages we usually experience when experiencing burnout. What theories have been suggested for the stages of burnout and what insights can we gain from them?
Phases are commonly used to describe the development of a disease. This article focuses on the stages we usually experience when experiencing burnout. What theories have been suggested for the stages of burnout and what insights can we gain from them?
What are Some Symptoms of Burnout?
- Depersonalization: It is a sense of apathy. Put simply, you begin to experience a lack of sensation. For instance, you could develop a more cynical outlook on life or struggle to effectively communicate with others.
- Diminished personal achievement.
- Feeling fatigued.
- Struggling to fall asleep.
- Experiencing a shift in hunger levels.
- Managing headaches or muscle discomfort.
- Having no drive.
- Feeling uncertain about oneself.
- Unsuccessful attempts or feeling isolated.
- A general sense of discontentment.
- Lack of social interaction.
- Neglecting your duties.
- Anger outbursts that occur in a work-related setting.
Stages Of Burnout: The Model Predicament
When discussing physical or mental illness stages, it's important to remember that these are simply theoretical concepts. They provide insight into how symptoms may progress, but it's important for patients and healthcare providers to avoid definitively categorizing themselves or others in a specific model stage.
Concerns and worries about a disease getting worse are typically strong, so being labeled can result in a sense of powerlessness. That being said, a framework detailing the stages of burnout can assist us in evaluating our own circumstances, developing a comprehensive understanding of the associated signs, and seeking assistance when needed.
Understanding that symptoms can manifest in various ways is essential, as we always have the chance to impact them. There exist numerous burnout phase models. Up to now, no scientific study has confirmed any of them; typically, they are derived from observations in mental health practice.
Concerns and worries about a disease getting worse are typically strong, so being labeled can result in a sense of powerlessness. That being said, a framework detailing the stages of burnout can assist us in evaluating our own circumstances, developing a comprehensive understanding of the associated signs, and seeking assistance when needed.
Understanding that symptoms can manifest in various ways is essential, as we always have the chance to impact them. There exist numerous burnout phase models. Up to now, no scientific study has confirmed any of them; typically, they are derived from observations in mental health practice.
The Twelve Phases Of Burnout
Herbert J. Freudenberger, a psychoanalyst, introduced the term burnout in professional literature in 1974 and outlined 12 stages of burnout. As this is just a model, the burnout phases listed may not necessarily occur in the specified order and could vary in degree of severity.
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Phase 1: The Urge To Demonstrate One's Worth
At this point, it is hard to imagine not being able to accomplish everything at work. Those impacted strive for excellence in every endeavor and grapple with a fear of not succeeding.
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Phase 2: Putting In More Effort
Perfectionism in the initial phase escalates; individuals believe they must accomplish tasks independently and promptly.
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Phase 3: Ignoring Personal Requirements
In this phase, individuals often view excessive work positively, turning necessity into a virtue ("workaholic"). Nonetheless, their personal needs are put on the back burner, which may result in an unhealthy lifestyle, such as inadequate sleep. They start to make errors at work that are not typical of them.
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Phase 4: Shifting Of Conflicts And Needs
Insomnia and psychosomatic symptoms can arise, leading to conflicts, such as with a partner, but these changes may go unnoticed. Mistakes at work occur more often, such as arriving late or missing appointments.
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Phase 5: Revising Values
Prioritize work over family, friends, and hobbies. Those who suffer do not allocate any time for their own well-being. They appear more severe and less understanding towards others.
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Phase 6: Refusal To Acknowledge Developing Issues
Those who are suffering become increasingly jaded and resentful; they withdraw from others. Their demeanor may grow more hostile; and their work performance deteriorates noticeably. Physical symptoms become more severe.
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Phase 7: Retreat
People who are suffering can no longer handle criticism; they are inherently dismissive, yet feel lost and helpless. At work, only essential tasks are completed due to employees feeling depleted of energy.
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Phase 8: Unusual Shifts In Behavior
Those experiencing distress become more apathetic, yet also respond with heightened sensitivity, inappropriate reactions, or high levels of suspicion. They see everything as a form of assault. The work they do seems like a heavy load.
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Phase 9: Deindividualization
At this point, individuals no longer feel like their usual selves and their lives appear to lack significance to them. They believe they need to simply "operate"; they may even ignore personal hygiene.
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Phase 10: Feeling Empty Inside
During this phase, individuals primarily experience a sense of emptiness within themselves. They have feelings of worthlessness, experience anxiety, and may also suffer from panic attacks.
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Phase 11: Feeling The Blues
Individuals may feel self-hatred, utterly exhausted, and hopeless, potentially leading to thoughts of suicide.
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Phase 12: Total Exhaustion
Full burnout is a mental collapse, potentially joined by a physical ailment. People in distress are facing a critical situation and require urgent assistance from professionals without delay.
Different Models And Ways To Utilize Them For Your Advantage
There are other descriptions of burnout phases besides Freudenberger's model. For instance, psychologist Matthias Burisch has categorized burnout syndrome into 7 stages and pinpointed the common indicators for each stage.
Similar to Freudenberger's framework, the changes can be smooth as the situation goes from minor "signals" to a feeling of hopelessness. No matter which stage model we use, understanding the potential symptoms of burnout can be advantageous.
Similar to Freudenberger's framework, the changes can be smooth as the situation goes from minor "signals" to a feeling of hopelessness. No matter which stage model we use, understanding the potential symptoms of burnout can be advantageous.
How Can You Recuperate From Burnout?
Know your boundaries when working. Individuals who are starting in new positions often feel the need to prove their worth to their supervisor by agreeing to every task given to them. This may pose a risk. Have a conversation with your employer and inform them about the challenges you are facing.
They might recommend that you consider taking a break to rejuvenate. If this option isn't available, ask for some personal time off to reflect on your circumstances. Also, think about going on a vacation to fully relax.
They might recommend that you consider taking a break to rejuvenate. If this option isn't available, ask for some personal time off to reflect on your circumstances. Also, think about going on a vacation to fully relax.
Conclusion
In the end, the important thing is not the stage we are in after self-assessment or assessment by others. If we recognize that we are in pain, we should immediately start to prioritize self-care. This could be in the form of self-care for burnout or we might look for assistance. Nevertheless, we should try to avoid burnout even before symptoms start to appear.
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