BURNOUT

Burnout can be defined as a state of physical and emotional exhaustion in which one feels a negative self-concept and negative attitude toward his job.  Burnout is a symptom that suggests that a person's job expectations are higher than reality.  

Burnout is often seen among individuals in the health care setting because these individuals are very idealistic. They want to save the world from disease and death; not everyone can be saved.

 General Causes of Burnout

Some causes come from inside the person - internal causes,

·         A person may set unrealistically high goals. 

·         Totally committed to the job, a perfectionist who wants to tackle all the problems himself, and takes on all possible responsibilities.  

·         Lack of rewards

·         There are simply not enough hours in the day for he/she to do everything perfectly, he experiences burnout.

·         Other internal causes of burnout include personal problems: domestic problems (trouble at home); stress in a personal relationship; etc. 

Sometimes the chief causes of burnout come from outside the individual - external causes. 

·         Overwork

·         Shortage of staff and supplies

·         Unresponsive leadership

·         Lack of group cohesiveness (or no esprit de corps)

·         Lack of recognition for a job well done

·         Short-fused suspense

·         Lack of resources

·         Lack of rewards

 Signs and Symptoms of Burnout

·         physical and mental exhaustion.  

·         gets tired very easily.

·         less production/enjoyment at work.  

·         seems to work harder, but he is producing less and enjoying the work less.

·         disenchanted with work and life.

·         chronic complainer.

 The following are signs of burnout in the individual:

·         Unexplained depressions

·         Irritable and short-tempered

·         Impotent or lack of sexual desire

·         Less contact with co-workers

·         More physical

·         Inability to relax and enjoy free time

·         Withdrawn and quiet with little to say

·         Absentminded

·         Increased drug or alcohol consumption

·         A teetotaler may begin to drink

 Social Interactions and Disposition

Decreased social interaction with family and friends, withdraws, is preoccupied and moody when with family and friends, is unable to share or talk about his frustrations with these people.  

 The burnout sufferer will state that no one wants to listen to his problems. 

On the other hand, when someone asks him directly about what is troubling him, he will respond either that he doesn't want to talk about work or that the person who asked wouldn't understand.

Techniques to Prevent Burnout

Here are some techniques which you can use to prevent burnout for yourself or which you can recommend to someone else:

·         Monitor yourself. 

·         Be alert to changes in your body or normal habits.

·         Communicate. If you find yourself withdrawing, force yourself to be out- going with other people.  

·         Do not retreat within yourself and build a prison of loneliness.

·         Listen to your "inner self". Understand yourself

·         Discussion and Support

·         Obtain feedback from coworkers or contemporaries.

·         Your strongest support may be among your coworkers.  

·         When work becomes a topic for social discussion, learn to discuss it until everyone has had a say

·         Decide what can be done and then change the subject.

Management Approach

If you are a manager and are trying to prevent burnout in your unit, try to develop a sense of togetherness in the unit. Actively develop and foster a high sense of the spirit of togetherness for a united team suffer from burnout less.

As an Individual

·         Do not try to be perfect.  

·         You are only human.  

·         Stop expecting too much of yourself.

·         Set realistic goals.  

·         It is stimulating to set high goals. 

·         If, however, these goals cannot be reached and this fact bothers you, set goals that can be met.

·         Focus on one thing at a time.  

·         Do not try to do everything at once.  

·         Do not try to be everything to everyone.

·         Relaxation techniques in working life

·         Learn to relax. Leave work at work.  

·         Do not take unnecessary paperwork home every night and on weekends. 

·         Plan to take vacations away from your working area. 

·         Go to the mountains or the coast for a few days every couple of months. 

·         Take a break at specific intervals to "recharge your batteries."  

·         You can also learn and practice relaxation techniques.  

·         This does not mean getting extra sleep.

·         Develop outside interest and hobbies

·         Yoga is one relaxation technique, but other approaches are available, simple, and beneficial.

·         Develop outside interests. Be sure there is something else in your life in addition to work. 

·         Active sports such as football, volleyball, swimming, etc., are good relaxers for some people.  

·         Other individuals find enjoyment in music, reading, writing, painting, etc.

·         An interest not connected with work will give you something else to think about as well as something else to talk about.