OvercomingOvercomingJob BurnoutJob Burnout

J. Steve Strosnider, LPCJ. Steve Strosnider, LPCAdvantage EAPAdvantage EAP

BurnoutBurnout

““Exhaustion of physical orExhaustion of physical oremotional strength andemotional strength andmotivation usually as amotivation usually as aresult of prolonged stressresult of prolonged stressor frustration.or frustration.””

BurnoutBurnout

Can happen to anyoneCan happen to anyone Regardless of how much you like yourRegardless of how much you like your

job, a time will come when you donjob, a time will come when you don’’ttlike doing it anymorelike doing it anymore

Signs & Symptoms of BurnoutSigns & Symptoms of Burnout

Are you more cynical, critical orAre you more cynical, critical orsarcastic at work?sarcastic at work?

Have you lost the ability toHave you lost the ability toexperience joy?experience joy?

Do you drag yourself to work andDo you drag yourself to work andhave trouble getting started?have trouble getting started?

Are you more irritable and lessAre you more irritable and lesspatient?patient?

Are you angry with those inAre you angry with those inauthority?authority?

Do you feel tired or run down?Do you feel tired or run down? Is your sleep disturbed?Is your sleep disturbed? Are you drinking, eating more?Are you drinking, eating more?

Do you find yourself beingDo you find yourself beingnegative and finding fault?negative and finding fault?

Do you no longer feel satisfactionDo you no longer feel satisfactionfrom your achievements?from your achievements?

Do you feel taken for granted?Do you feel taken for granted?

Are you experiencingAre you experiencingphysical problems?physical problems?

Do you feel helpless?Do you feel helpless?

WhoWho’’s at risk?s at risk? EveryoneEveryone Job is monotonousJob is monotonous You identify so strongly with work that you lackYou identify so strongly with work that you lack

adequate distance between work and personaladequate distance between work and personallife- life- ““All your eggs in 1 basketAll your eggs in 1 basket””

You try to be everything to everyoneYou try to be everything to everyone You work in health care, law enforcement orYou work in health care, law enforcement or

teachingteaching Inability to effect positive outcome/lack of inputInability to effect positive outcome/lack of input

Two types ofTwo types ofJob SatisfactionJob Satisfaction

ExtrinsicExtrinsicIntrinsicIntrinsic

Burnout canBurnout cancontribute to:contribute to:

DepressionDepression Feeling sad, blueFeeling sad, blue AnhedoniaAnhedonia FatigueFatigue Problems in concentration/short term memoryProblems in concentration/short term memory Lack of sexual desireLack of sexual desire Emotional labilityEmotional lability IndecisionIndecision IrritabilityIrritability

Causes of BurnoutCauses of Burnout

Lack of controlLack of control Dysfunctional workplace dynamicsDysfunctional workplace dynamics Lack of appreciation/feeling taken forLack of appreciation/feeling taken for

grantedgranted PowerlessnessPowerlessness Feeling trappedFeeling trapped

Additional CausesAdditional Causes Mundane tasksMundane tasks Unmet intrinsic needsUnmet intrinsic needs Unclear job expectationsUnclear job expectations Lack of down time, recreationLack of down time, recreation Prolonged stress without a breakProlonged stress without a break Feeling useless/ineptFeeling useless/inept Compassion fatigueCompassion fatigue

Other causes of burnoutOther causes of burnout Unrealistic imposed goals/changeUnrealistic imposed goals/change Overwork because of understaffingOverwork because of understaffing Rules that are coercive or unrealisticRules that are coercive or unrealistic Work violates personal valuesWork violates personal values Work boredomWork boredom Trapped in job because of financesTrapped in job because of finances

Stress vs. BurnoutStress vs. Burnout

StressStress OverengagedOverengaged Overeactive emotionsOvereactive emotions Urgency/hyperactivityUrgency/hyperactivity Loss of energyLoss of energy Leads to anxietyLeads to anxiety Physical damagePhysical damage

BurnoutBurnout DisengagedDisengaged Blunted emotionsBlunted emotions HelplessnessHelplessness HopelessnessHopelessness Loss of motivation/hopeLoss of motivation/hope Leads to depression/Leads to depression/ Emotional damage Emotional damage

The number oneThe number onefactor in longevity isfactor in longevity isjob satisfactionjob satisfaction..

How to overcome/How to overcome/prevent burnoutprevent burnout

Time awayTime away Regression in Service of the EgoRegression in Service of the Ego ExerciseExercise Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeineAvoid excessive alcohol and caffeine Diversify your sense of identityDiversify your sense of identity Avoid temptations to be adversarial toAvoid temptations to be adversarial to

authorityauthority

How to overcome burnoutHow to overcome burnout Stop negative thinkingStop negative thinking

Jumping to conclusionsJumping to conclusions Disqualifying the positiveDisqualifying the positive Mind ReadingMind Reading Over reactingOver reacting Negative PredictionsNegative Predictions PersonalizingPersonalizing AwfulizingAwfulizing

How to overcome burnoutHow to overcome burnout ThereThere’’s no guarantee life should bes no guarantee life should be

fairfair Accept what you cannot changeAccept what you cannot change Examine your expectationsExamine your expectations Embrace changeEmbrace change Avoid negative co-workersAvoid negative co-workers Humor Humor ““Reductio ad Reductio ad absurdemabsurdem””

ContinuedContinued

DonDon’’t underestimate the value of what yout underestimate the value of what youdodo

Talk/process your feelingsTalk/process your feelings Take care of your:Take care of your:

Physical needsPhysical needs Emotional needsEmotional needs Spiritual needsSpiritual needs

Questions?Questions?

Comments? Comments?

Snide Remarks?Snide Remarks?