Burnout is depression
FALSE. “Burnout is not depression or even “work depression”. One of the characteristic symptoms of depression is anhedonia, that is to say the loss of desire for everything, which is not the case with burnout at the beginning. On the other hand, if not taken care of, it can lead to depression”, answers our expert Emmanuelle Wyart. Nor is burnout a simple fatigue that rest or vacation would be enough to absorb.
So what is it ? The specialists themselves are struggling to find a definition that achieves consensus. However, we will remember this “triad of burnout” given by Christina Maslach (pioneer American psychologist on the subject): a deep physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, a feeling of dehumanization and generalized cynicism vis-à-vis the world of work, a loss of sense of accomplishment and a decline in self-efficacy.
Burnout is caused by overwork
NOT ONLY. The mechanisms of burnout are much more complex, and its causes relate to both the person and the world of work. On the one hand, there is a deep commitment to work, a certain perfectionism, a strong ethic that take root in the intimate history of the person, his education, the “work” value conveyed within the family, etc. And on the other, all the “psychosocial risks” (RPS) well identified in occupational medicine: intense rhythm, lack of means, low autonomy, non-recognition, frequent changes, etc. “By accentuating the porosity between the professional and personal sphere and by saturating us with information, digital tools and teleworking obviously do not help matters”, adds the coach. This personal, physical and emotional over-investment in work, combined with tense working conditions will induce chronic stress.Constantly in stress mode, the body can no longer recover.It is this stress/recovery imbalance that can lead to burnout.
Anyone can be affected by burnout
TRUE AND FALSE. Burnout was initially identified among health professionals, but today, anyone can burn out… provided one is very – too much? -strongly invested in his work. “It is indeed the most active, voluntary and creative who are affected. The ability to resist over a long period is one of the common points that I encounter in the majority of the people I accompany, observes Emmanuelle Wyart. ‘collapses precisely because one has given more, invested more time and more affect than others in one’s work. Irony of fate – or perversity of the world of work – “after their burn out, 4/5 of the people I accompany have been criticized by their employer for their professionalism, continues the coach. However, it is very important to relieve guilt. The company has a great deal of responsibility, in particular via the tools for monitoring and individualizing the performance that it puts in place.”
Burnout happens overnight
FALSE. Burnout is a slow process. “It can incubate for months, even years, explains the specialist. It starts with a phase of strong professional challenge, of success which fuels a feeling of omnipotence.” Subjected to an intense rhythm, the body begins to struggle to follow. We will therefore redouble our efforts to continue to provide the same work. It is then the gear. “Constantly under chronic stress, the body is no longer able to slow down. There is a hormonal failure, leading to a runaway of the autonomic nervous system.” Until the moment of changeover: the body lets go by dint of not having been heard. The shock is then commensurate with the denial, with different manifestations depending on the person: inability to get up, panic attack, malaise, even sudden paralysis. “This moment of changeover often comes after a trigger: a sudden increase in the workload, a change of manager, an unjustified poor evaluation, an ethical conflict, a drop in resources, a brutal dismissal…” , lists the coach.
Symptoms are easy to recognize
FALSE. Before reaching this stage of combustion, the body sends out signs of overheating. More than 130 symptoms have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). They affect both the cognitive sphere (increasing difficulty concentrating, memory problems, procrastination and difficulty in making decisions, etc.) and the emotional (great sadness, irritability and outbursts of anger, lack of emotion, feeling of uselessness, etc.). ) and physical (sleep disorders, intense fatigue, muscle pain, migraines, digestive, ENT or dermatological disorders, etc.). “This polymorphic symptomalogy obviously makes the diagnosis complex, especially since the person, disconnected from his body, is no longer able to detect certain warning signals.” Not to mention a form of denial, because burnout is still too frequently – and wrongly – perceived as an admission of weakness.
Our Experts:
- Emmanuelle Wyart, interdisciplinary specialist in suffering at work, psychotherapist, certified professional coach and hypnotherapist, consultant in psychosocial risks
