Burnout Syndrome: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Consequences

Burnout syndrome: origin of the concept

Burnout syndrome is a term that comes from the English concept: burnout syndrome. In Spanish it translates as burnout syndrome although it is more common to use the term burnout syndrome or burnout syndrome.

The concept appeared in 1974 described by Herbert Freudenberger, who explained burnout syndrome as a feeling of failure and an exhausting experience as a result of being overloaded by the demands of the job⁽¹⁾. Later, Christina Maslach studied the loss of professional responsibility suffered by some workers in the helping professions, such as healthcare workers or educators. In 1986, Christina Maslach and Susan Jackson defined burnout syndrome as a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment, which can occur between workers who work with people.

In 1988, Pines and Aronson proposed a description of burnout that included other work areas. This definition says that burnout is the state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion, produced by chronic involvement in situations with emotional demands at work ⁽²⁾. Brill agrees with them, who believes that burnout can appear in any type of job.

Burnout syndrome: current definition

The current definition of burnout syndrome is the following: a set of signs and symptoms that last for a period of time and are characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and little personal fulfillment at work. It is considered a response to chronic work stress that presents discomfort and negative feelings towards work and people.

• emotional exhaustion: the state of emotional fatigue in which the worker can no longer cope due to working caring for people and in conditions that are not suitable for the worker.
• Depersonalization: consists of dehumanization and emotional hardening. Professionals with burnout syndrome become insensitive and cynical towards the patients, clients or users they care for.
• Little professional achievement: feeling of discontent and dissatisfaction with oneself and with the work done.

Burnout and stress

Are burnout syndrome and work stress the same thing? No. The difference between burnout syndrome and stress labor is that the first is a consequence of the second. That is, when stress increases and becomes chronic, it can become burnout. The syndrome of burnout is considered broader and more serious than stress. Regarding symptoms, stress manifests itself through overinvolvement in problems and emotional hyperactivity; on the contrary, burnout shows a lack of involvement and emotional dullness.

boreout syndrome

It is important to mention boreout syndrome, since due to its great similarity in spelling it can be confused with burnout syndrome. That is, burnout and boreout are written in a similar way but they do not mean the same thing. The main difference between burnout and boreout is the cause of the syndrome. The cause of boreout syndrome is lack of work and boredom that produces.

Why happens? What are the causes of burnout syndrome? Burnout syndrome or burnout syndrome derives from the interaction between the characteristics of the person and exposure to harmful psychosocial work conditions. These conditions consist of exaggerated demands, especially emotional ones, that surpass the worker. Therefore, we find two large groups of causes of burnout syndrome:

1. Causes of burnout syndrome relative to the person

• Low tolerance for stress and frustration.
• Poor coping strategies.
• Lack of social support.
• Perfectionism and sense of responsibility.

2. Causes of burnout syndrome related to work conditions

• Duty interact with patients, clients or users.
• He emotional labor that is, having to express socially acceptable emotions while working.
• Work overload.
• Lack of prevention of psychosocial occupational risks.
• Imbalance between workload and available resources.
• Poor quality of interpersonal relationships at work.
• Lack of opportunities for learning, improvement and development.
• Imbalance between expectations and the reality of work.
• Excessive work hours.
• High levels of demand.
• Lack of time to organize tasks.

Burnout syndrome: consequences for the worker

Burnout syndrome can lead to severe consequences for the person who suffers from it. Below are some of the consequences of burnout syndrome for professionals themselves:

• Physical consequences. Burnout syndrome can influence or enhance aspects such as hair loss, muscle contractures, dermatological, cardiovascular, digestive, intestinal, sexual and respiratory problems. It can contribute to more illnesses such as colds and infections.
• Psychological consequences. Burnout syndrome can cause emotional and psychopathological problems, affecting self-esteem, health, well-being and quality of life of the person. It can lead to mood disorders (such as depression) and anxiety disorders. Another possible consequence of the syndrome is the increase in addictions, both to substances, such as alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, and to behaviors, such as pathological gambling or compulsive shopping. Also chronic fatigue, general malaise and risk behaviors.
• Social consequences. Burnout syndrome can produce social consequences such as negative attitudes towards other people, social isolation and increased relationship and family problems.
• Accidents. Burnout syndrome increases the risk of accidents.

Burnout syndrome: consequences for the company

The health and quality of life of workers has an impact on the competitiveness and effectiveness of companies Therefore, poor health or quality of life at work negatively affects the organization through absenteeism and a decrease in production and quality. Another consequence of burnout that affects companies is the increase in accidents.

Burnout syndrome: consequences for society.

Burnout is a social and public health problem that entails a great economic and social cost. The syndrome affects professionals, therefore, it has an influence on the economy. Furthermore, due to all its symptoms, consequences and possible complications, it also has an impact on the health system.

Burnout syndrome is more prevalent among professionals who work in vocational and caring jobs, such as doctors, nurses, and teachers. It is increasingly common among workers who provide services to people and who work in direct contact with people, whether they are patients, clients, users, etc. Among these workers, the healthcare professionals specific, the male and female nurses. However, it is also worth highlighting the importance of the increase in the prevalence of burnout syndrome in teachers.

What is burnout syndrome in nursing?

Nursing is one of the professions that suffers the most from burnout syndrome. One of the causes of burnout syndrome in nursing is constant exposure to people’s suffering. One of the most frequent manifestations and consequences of burnout syndrome in nursing is decreased quality of work.

Furthermore, burnout syndrome in nursing is one of the most important reasons for abandonment of the profession. Currently, there is a significant shortage of nursing professionals due to burnout, something that the World Health Organization (WHO) has already warned.

How to avoid burnout syndrome in nursing? Specialists propose applying measures such as improve working conditions increase salary and increase continuing training.

Research on burnout syndrome in nursing

Some research on burnout syndrome in nursing has shown that the group of nurses presents greater depersonalization and feels less fulfilled than other health professionals such as technicians or assistants. One study found that 66.6% of nursing professionals of the sample were burned. It has been observed that some indicators of suffering from burnout syndrome in nursing are lack of recognition and low job satisfaction. Furthermore, burnout is higher in specialties such as healthcare services. emergencies service oncology and care in mental health.

The diagnosis of burnout syndrome must be made after a psychological evaluation using validated procedures and carried out by an accredited professional. Therefore, if you think you suffer from this syndrome, It is important to go to a professional to rule out other disorders such as depressive disorders or anxiety disorders. As we have seen previously, these disorders can be a consequence of burnout syndrome.

Burnout syndrome test

To detect burnout syndrome, the most used instrument is the Maslach questionnaire, whose name is Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Christina Maslach is a research psychologist and burnout syndrome expert. Maslach created the burnout test in 1981. The Maslach Burnout Inventory It serves to measure the 3 main aspects of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal fulfillment, through 22 items. The MBI items consist of statements that must be scored from 0 to 6 depending on their truth. If you think you may have burnout, you can take the adaptation we have made of this questionnaire: the burnout syndrome test.

Treatment of burnout syndrome begins with changes in the company or workplace. First of all, it must improve the organization with the aim that workers do not have an overload of work. It is also necessary to provide employees the necesary resources the right tools and training to do your job correctly.

Burnout syndrome: pharmacological treatment

Burnout syndrome as such does not have to require pharmacological treatment. However, this decision must be made by the specialist after a thorough evaluation of the case. The use of drugs to treat burnout syndrome will depend on the severity of the symptoms presented and the personal characteristics of each patient.

Burnout syndrome: psychological treatment

Burnout syndrome must be addressed globally, from organizational changes in the company to psychological treatment. Regarding the psychological treatment of burnout syndrome, the most important points are:

• Psychoeducation. This first step of treatment consists of knowing the burnout syndrome, recognizing the symptoms, understanding the situation and identifying the factors that have caused it and that maintain it.
• Self-knowledge. Through records and analysis, the aim is to detect in which situations you present maladaptive stress responses.
• Cope with stress. First of all, you need to learn breathing and relaxation techniques. Next, the belief system must be evaluated and cognitive distortions modified through cognitive restructuring.
• Adjust expectations. As we have seen previously, some of the factors that predispose to suffering from the syndrome are related to perfectionism and the imbalance between expectations and reality. Therefore, it is necessary to bring expectations closer to reality and adjust the level of self-demand to real possibilities.
• Improve self-esteem. To improve self-esteem requires extensive work that includes various areas. It is important to identify one’s own weaknesses and strengths, accept them and work on them, that is, use the strengths to improve, if appropriate, the weaknesses. In addition, it is also necessary to detect and eliminate judgments towards oneself. Another relevant aspect is to treat yourself kindly.
• Develop resilience. That is, training the ability to become stronger after difficulties.
• Work on assertiveness. Improving communication skills and enhancing assertiveness will be useful to establish better communication with colleagues, superiors and users, as well as defend your rights with respect.
• Healthy habits. It is important to maintain a self-care routine and healthy habits that range from physical exercise and nutrition to social relationships and meditation.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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