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PA Enterprise
Burnout Symptoms and
Treatment
People who are struggling to cope with workplace stress may place
themselves at high risk of burnout. Burnout can leave people feeling
exhausted, empty, and unable to cope with the demands of life.
It has recently been in the news that Bumble
employees have been given a paid week off work
to recover from “collective burnout” triggered by
the pandemic. Founder and CEO of the dating
app, Whitney Wolfe Herd is said to have sent a
memo to all 700 of Bumble’s employees, telling
them to switch off and focus on themselves for a
full week.
Burnout may be accompanied by a variety of
mental and physical health symptoms as well. If
left unaddressed, burnout can make it difficult for
an individual to function well in their daily life.
What Is Burnout?
The term “burnout” is a relatively new term,
first coined in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger,
in his book, Burnout: The High Cost of High
Achievement. He originally defined burnout
as, “the extinction of motivation or incentive,
especially where one’s devotion to a cause or
relationship fails to produce the desired results.”
Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic
job stress and is characterized by three
main dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism (less
identification with the job), and feelings of
reduced professional ability.
More simply put, if you feel exhausted, start to
hate your job, and begin to feel less capable at
work, you are showing signs of burnout.1
The stress that contributes to burnout can come
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mainly from your job, but stress from your overall
lifestyle can add to this stress. Personality traits
and thought patterns, such as perfectionism and
pessimism, can contribute as well.
Most people spend the majority of their waking
hours working. And if you hate your job, dread
going to work, and don’t gain any satisfaction out
of what you’re doing, it can take a serious toll on
your life.1
Signs and Symptoms
While burnout isn’t a diagnosable psychological
disorder, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken
seriously.
Here are some of the most common signs of
burnout:
 Alienation from work-related activities:
Individuals experiencing burnout view their jobs
as increasingly stressful and frustrating. They
may grow cynical about their working conditions
and the people they work with. They may also
emotionally distance themselves and begin to
feel numb about their work.
 Physical symptoms:
Chronic stress may lead to physical symptoms,
like headaches and stomachaches or intestinal
issues.
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