Burn out means exhaustion. It is a contemporary work-related disease. And the most complicated thing is to know exactly when you are in a situation of burnout. And yes, burnout is not as easy to identify as a fracture or a cold. It is due to an accumulation of stress and a lack of rest.
Whereas stress in itself is considered beneficial for the human. when it is experienced during an isolated moment such as an exam, a meeting or an important appointment. In these situations, stress helps to increase the level of adrenaline. It helps us to activate and prepare ourselves as well as possible.
Stress then becomes harmful when there is recurrence. Without a fairly long period of calm between moments of stress. It is then impossible to bring down the adrenaline. Then the body starts to accumulate. And it can take years for the first symptoms to appear. We often feel that something is wrong without paying attention to it. Or because we do not dare to realize the situation, or out of guilt. During these periods, we often tend to talk about it around us indirectly, to better identify the case at first. But beware! This disease is still very poorly known. And so the subject is either considered taboo or misinterpreted by others.
If you are asking yourself the question about your current situation, here are some tips that can help you identify the level and have your situation recognized as well as possible:
1 – Avoid discussing your burnout problems with your co-workers.
Indeed! Mainly because your colleagues may be in the same situation as you, but they are not at the same stage. Your colleague may also be affected by the same problem but he/she will not feel it in the same way, or it may even be that he/she is in the phase of denial. If you ask him for advice, he may put the situation into perspective in relation to him and not recognize it. He may then seek to defend himself and thus disappoint you, or even consider you a little like a traitor who gives up, while the others are still fighting.
2- Look for the symptoms of burnout, list them and identify them.
Then, everyone does not face burnout the same way. Some are more likely to get upset while others cry. Reactions vary depending on our character. Many symptoms are described on the net. Do not hesitate to list them and highlight those that suit you. For example, the following is a list of symptoms that you may experience:
- Intense fatigue, exhaustion, feeling of being emptied even after the holidays.
- Irritability, feelings of panic, devaluation.
- Sleep disorders, forgetfulness.
- Lack of breath, tachycardia.
- Tendency to isolate, constantly sleeps, back pain.
Be careful, because a lack of consideration of burnout can slide into depression, impacting your personal life.
During these delicate moments, know that yoga is your friend. I personally practiced a lot of yoga during my burn out. it helped me enormously to relieve myself, to refocus on myself, to take time for me, to revalorize myself. If this is your case, you will find more information in the article The benefits of yoga. Similarly, if you are having difficult nights, more tips are shared with you under the article How to improve your sleep capital.
3- Bring your list to the doctor and discuss it clearly.
So don’t turn around the subject. When you get to the doctor, do not start saying that you have back pain or the doctor will not diagnose you for burnout. The best is to clearly say that you have done research on the net and that you have listed all the symptoms. The doctor should, at this time, take into consideration your situation. He will then ask you several questions to better understand your condition. He/she will want to be sure that the problem is related to work, and not to your family situation. And therefore, if it is indeed a burn out, and not a depression.
4- If the doctor does not take you seriously, go elsewhere.
Moreover, at the end of the first session, the doctor should prescribe at least a week off. And plan the next follow-up appointment. At the end of the week of sickness leave, the doctor will re-evaluate you, and therefore can extend the stop for several weeks. While following your situation. Several sessions with a psychologist can also be prescribed, to analyze and help you evacuate the trauma.
If the doctor does not listen to you, do not hesitate to consult elsewhere. Some doctors may seem reluctant to prescribe a stop on this. And above all, do not feel guilty! No one feels what you feel, and therefore no one can know what your needs are.
5- Other parties can help you recognize your burnout.
Finally, if you cannot find a doctor to help you, or even if the situation with your manager/leader is complicated, do not hesitate to discuss it with your union and/or occupational medicine. Occupational medicine is often more experienced in this regard. And they will be able to listen to you better, and support you more in case of difficulties with your team, or manager or even human resources.
In conclusion, do not hesitate to do an introspection and analyze your current situation. As a result of this analysis, list all your arguments and talk about them with the right people. Finally, if the doctor does not help you, do not forget that you are not alone and that other good people are there to accompany you in these difficult times.
Love and take care of yourself! No one else will do it better than you.
