BURNOUT: WHEN STRESS BECOMES ILLNESS

Too much stress however induces negative effects not only the individuals but also to the company in the long term. Excessive stress is a major complaint found by occupational physicians. A majority of stressed employees can however handle such situations. When stress becomes unbearable for the person it is called job burnout.

Burnout may affect any professional, from top boss to rank and file employee. It is an extreme stress condition leading to a physical and emotional exhaustion associated with serious job related issues regarding job interest, productivity and relationship with colleagues. 

Burnout became “popular” two decades ago when corporations focused their strategies towards mergers, which often led to subsequent brutal downsizing of their operations. Intense pressure was applied to employees during the acquisition process. Nowadays in western countries, people complain less about excessive stress because having a job is considered a privilege within the context of record high unemployment. However, due to the ever-ending cost control obsession and the 24/7-365 days smart phone reaction expectations, burnout may be likely more prevalent than before. In 2012, the European Working Conditions Observatory reported that 0.8 per cent of the whole working population in Belgium was affected by burnout. 

Burnout is not limited to the employed individuals. In hard hit economies, long-term unsuccessful job search and lasting unemployment take a heavy toll on people’s mental well being as well. 

In corporations, burnout results from common job related risk factors. The most frequent is the vague job description, which leads to unclear work expectations. Burnout sufferers often report unrealistic objectives, unpleasant work atmosphere and tense relationship with superiors or colleagues. The emotional impact of stress is also linked to the individual’s response to a particular stressful event. In this aspect, there are obviously great differences among people in the way they cope with stress and those having difficulties to handle demanding situations are more prone to burnout. 

The burnout may be expressed in various ways but the profound lack of motivation, poor personal accomplishment and feeling of being disconnected from work are almost systematically reported. The productivity is then markedly reduced, which negatively affects the self-esteem and leads to more difficult relationship with co-workers. Sick leaves are taken in higher numbers and may induce a vicious cycle as job demand is building up when resuming work. 

With the lower work efficiency and an increasingly negative attitude both in the workplace and often at home, a full blown out burnout may force the individual to stop working. 

The symptoms need be recognised early. Left without adequate response, more serious consequences may occur including depression, alcohol addiction or overeating leading to high cholesterol and/or obesity. Other health complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease and even stroke have also been reported among burnout individuals.

Some companies may be concerned by such a phenomenon and put in place preventing measures to avoid excessive stressful environment. However, according studies, most companies are reluctant to confront this issue and don’t even entertain such a topic. 

As such, the way out of burnout has to be found by the professional himself. There is no single recipe to prevent or better handle stress but some may be useful in most situations. You should maintain open communication or seek support from superiors, co-workers or friends to identify the issues contributing to excess of stress and possibly reassess your options and priorities to achieve a rewarding profession. 

At any rate, unfulfilling and potentially damaging occupation may have to be interrupted as health is far more precious than work. 

 

Dr Gerard Lalande is managing director 

of CEO-Health, which provides medical referrals for expatriates and customised executive medical check-ups in Thailand. He can be contacted at [email protected].