This is how you recognize burnout

Stress in daily life and work has increased significantly in Switzerland over the past few years. While only 18 percent of employees complained of stress at work in 2012, it was already 21 percent in 2017.

Stress levels are rising rapidly, especially among young people. According to the Federal Statistical Office (BfS), the percentage of people suffering from stress rose from 19 percent to 25 percent among 15- to 29-year-olds, and from 18 percent to 22 percent among 30- to 49-year-olds. This can lead to burnout.

Natasa Kalt (52) is a psychologist specializing in psychotherapy, specializing in depression, anxiety disorders, burnout, life crises, addiction and trauma. Blick provides an overview of the symptoms of burnout and how to avoid it.

symptoms and signs

Even if you don’t realize it yourself, those around you can often see signs of burnout in an affected person. “In particular, increased irritability can be a sign of burnout,” says the psychologist.

There are other symptoms of burnout as well: These include lack of energy and emotional exhaustion, feelings of alienation (derealization), decreased performance, physical pain, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, insomnia, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation, as the expert knows. However, caution should be exercised when diagnosing such symptoms as they may indicate depression: “Depression and burnout are not always clearly distinguishable. Sometimes they even get along with each other. Yet the two should not be equated,” explains Kalt.

The difference between burnout and depression

In the case of burnout, the affected person is often very performance-oriented and suffers from performance pressure. “The person often feels constantly stressed, empty, irritable, drained, and unable to relax or shut down,” explains Kalt.

Depression includes family, environment, and self-esteem. The dominant emotion in depression is sadness. It was coldly noted: “A prolonged burnout can also lead to depression or even an anxiety disorder.”

anyone can be

It’s important to note that burnout isn’t just for people who are at work. Mothers and teens can also be severely affected. “Burnout is always a risk when a person’s main activity is related to performance and stress,” explains the psychologist. It could be through school, sport, instrument or something else.

A good work-life balance is important

A good work-life balance is essential to prevent burnout. “Any stress must be balanced. The body and mind need ample time to heal and regenerate,” explains Kalt.

This relaxation can take various forms such as exercise, meditation, creativity and more. However, it is important that the relaxation activity has nothing to do with performance, as, for example, in competitive sports.

No disruption in adrenaline and cortisol

Sympathetic and parasympathetic are part of our autonomic nervous system and are responsible for certain hormone releases. “When the body is in the sympathetic nervous system due to increased activity such as stress, it releases cortisol and adrenaline in the body. The parasympathetic nervous system, which is active during physical relaxation, among other things reduces stress », explains Kalt.

With constant stress, the body can no longer break down adrenaline and cortisol again. Therefore, a balanced alternation between stress and relaxation is necessary to prevent burnout.

Not all stress automatically leads to burnout.

However, it is important to distinguish between acute and chronic stress. Because it is mainly chronic stress that can lead to burnout. “Acute stress is when you are stressed during the day but can relax in the evening. With chronic stress, you can’t relax or unwind for weeks,” says the psychologist.

It even takes some stress. Kalt gives an example: “During the curfew during the corona pandemic, many suddenly experienced no stress in daily life. People were temporarily ‘dispersing’.”