What Are The Symptoms of Burnout?

Symptoms of burnout vary from person to person. Each sign can go, some being people having more extreme versions than others; burnout can be difficult to diagnose because of this. However, some common symptoms can be related directly to burnout, and in some cases, even cause burnout.

“Symptoms of burnout often cited include psychological and cognitive states of apathy, frustration, depression, cynicism, irritability and inadequacy” (Smith).

Symptoms of Burnout/ Stages

1. Burnout starts with something more innocent, excessive drive, and ambition.

2. Pushing yourself to work harder. Ambition pushes you to work harder.

3. You start to ignore what your body needs, mostly focusing on your goal ahead.

4. You fail to realize that you are the one doing it to yourself, so you start blaming other people such as bosses, coworkers, and teammates.

5. Everything else becomes irrelevant. Focusing on your goal is the only thing you care about.

6. When things start to head for the worse, you deny the fact that any of it is you, further blaming the people around you.

7. Withdrawal. You slowly begin to turn everyone away. Everyone is a distraction to you; family, friends, and everyone else.

8. Behavioral changes. Being frustrated and annoyed with the things going on around you, you can begin to snap at the people around you for seemingly no reason.

9. Depersonalization. You feel separated from real life, straying farther away from reality.

10. Anxiety and emptiness. You feel empty on the inside. Your behavior can change in ways where you begin to emotionally cope.

11. Depression. Life loses all purpose, nothing really has any value anymore.

12. Total Collapse. You begin to lose your ability to cope. You may need medical attention. (Fraga).