What is Burnout? - The gold standard definition.

If you're reading this, you probably are thinking you are burnt out. Let’s define it. Especially nowadays, I wouldn't blame you for feeling burnt out.

The big block of science talk

The gold standard definition of burnout is a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion and cynicism with three defining features: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased sense of personal accomplishment. This definition of burnout is based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which was first published in 1981 and is the most widely used tool for measuring burnout.

Burnout is most common in people who interact with others in their profession, especially those who provide care, such as medical and mental health professionals. However, burnout can occur in any worker, student, parent, or person who is constantly exposed to high levels of stress.

Emotional Exhaustion

Emotional exhaustion involves feelings of being overextended and a belief that one does not have enough emotional resources to function and cope within the work environment.

Depersonalization

Depersonalization is the experience of feeling detached from other people and a loss of idealism.

Personal Accomplishment

Personal accomplishment is one’s feeling of competence and productivity in the workplace. Additionally, it can relate to the feelings of achievement or improved self-worth from their work.

So, one of these is not like the others. Personal Accomplishment. Personal accomplishment counteracts the other two in influencing burnout. If you have high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and low levels of personal accomplishment, you're going to get burnt out. If you feel very personally accomplished and it takes low to medium levels of emotional exhaustion, you will likely not get burnt out.

Okay, now that the definitions are out of the way, let's talk about examples.

Consider a doctor working in a war-torn country, assisting innocent war victims. Their personal achievement is most likely very high. Most likely, they believe they are contributing their talents to a worthy cause. The emotional toll of seeing children injured or dying on a daily basis in a conflict zone, on the other hand, would most likely have an impact on their emotional well-being. No matter how well they take care of themselves, they probably will be able to do this job for a short time. Because they would need to get away from the situation in order to emotionally recover.

Workers monitoring images and videos uploaded on platforms such as Facebook are another example. You may have heard about their work or read articles about it. Many of the workers must or are forced to work only temporarily in order to monitor and report photos or videos of abused children uploaded to the platform. The emotional cost of the role outweighs the personal accomplishments, resulting in burnout.

Let's take the opposite path. Consider a grocery store cashier. It is an important job, but if the worker has dreams of rescuing children in the Congo, he or she will likely feel little personal fulfillment from it. Working there means nothing to them other than a paycheck. Then there are customers who are having a bad day and decide to vent their frustrations on this employee. The worker asks himself, "Why the fuck am I here?" That's a good question. They begin to remain silent to customers because they do not want to offend someone going through their third divorce. They stop interacting with coworkers and feel like they're just going through the motions at work.

How do I manage it?

Burnout management is a complicated process. I'll need to make an entire post about this but usually, it requires systematic changes. Nowadays, it is a change in employment. Workers are deciding that they don't want to put up with their boss's shit anymore for little benefit and are walking out. Good for them. But, plenty more are stuck because they have bills.

Managing stress early can help slow down getting burnt out. Start destressing after doing the activity that is taking an emotional toll on you. Incorporate rewards (treat yourself to coffee or a bath) after doing a job/activity you do not want to do. But ultimately, if you are in a terrible environment, you likely will get burnt out. Identify what is pushing the button on your burnout and look to see what I can do differently.

Can I get a babysitter on Thursday nights? Can I outsource this task I hate? Can I leave this job and find a better workplace?

As I said, it's complicated but requires a systematic change in the way you are doing things. Whenever I make a post about it, I will link it here!

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