Risk factors
The source of burnout is the work environment; however, not everyone who works in the same environment will experience burnout. Individual risk factors related to demographics and personality traits contribute to making certain individuals more vulnerable to burnout than others.
- Work environment
- Demographic variables
- Personality traits
Signs and symptoms
Some common symptoms of burnout include the following:
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Apathy (e.g., “I just don't care anymore.”)
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Irritability (e.g., “Everything annoys me.”)
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Feelings of hopelessness (e.g., “It's useless to try to help them.”)
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Rapid exhaustion (e.g., “Even simple tasks make me tired.”)
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Disillusionment (e.g., “My clients will never get better.”)
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Melancholy (e.g., “The world is a dark place.”)
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Forgetfulness (e.g., “I can't remember anything anymore!”)
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Experiencing work as a heavy burden (e.g., “Going to work is painful.”)
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Tendency to blame oneself (e.g., “It's my fault that my clients are not coping well.”)
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Feelings of failure (e.g., “I have let my clients down.”)
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Alienation from and cynicism toward clients (e.g., “My clients should just get over it already!”)
Burnout as opportunity
Providers can adopt strategies to avoid burnout. If a burnout situation happens, it can sometimes be transformed into an opportunity to stop and reflect on some important questions (Bellafiore, 2011). It is an opportunity to step back and consider whether the current course of action is really a good idea. At certain times, providers must stop and care for themselves.
Providers can consider the following questions when experiencing symptoms of burnout:
- What are you trying to accomplish with your work life?
- What are your core values? Is your work in synch with these?
- If you are overworking, why?
- What does work accomplish for you? What is it preventing you from accomplishing?