Bornout Syndrome

Bornout Syndrome is one of those disorders that are the product of the frenzy in contemporary life. It basically consists of a state of chronic stress, with high levels of physical and emotional fatigue, caused by overwork.

Under this state, feelings of depression arise that are expressed in various ways. Those who suffer from this problem feel ineffective, inadequate and of little value. It is frequent that he also develops cynical attitudes and that he is indifferent and emotionally detached.

There are five main symptoms that can indicate the existence of this disorder. It is important to be attentive to them to act in time and not allow the problem to take advantage. They are as follows:

1. Pessimism

In an almost imperceptible way, little by little you begin to see work as something not very rewarding and that it will not get you anywhere. Without even realizing it, that feeling spreads to the other planes of your life. You feel as if everything has lost its shine and you begin to think that you are alone and that you cannot count on anyone. You cannot avoid pessimism.

2. Isolation

It is expressed as a resistance to social activities, which progressively extends until it reaches your intimate sphere. At first you just don’t want to go to parties and social activities. Afterwards, you no longer even feel like sharing lunch with other people. Over time, you even stop talking to those who are part of your intimate environment.

3. Inability to enjoy

It begins to cost you work to do anything. You don’t feel like going to work and as soon as you arrive, you just think about leaving. Over time, you experience the same when faced with situations that previously seemed very pleasant or that would not have to cause you rejection. Finally, you don’t feel like anything. As if there was not something that was interesting enough to make you react.

4. Lack of productivity

It seems like you want to postpone everything. You leave your activities half done and when you least think about it you have a long to-do list, which you solve in a mediocre way. You don’t care if what you do has quality or not. You simply work out of inertia, out of necessity, and the rest does not matter to you.

5. Detachment

Detachment is that feeling of not belonging anywhere. As if others lived their own reality and you yours. What happens in your environment seems to be something that has nothing to do with you. You let it happen, nothing more, but you never feel involved in it. You establish a barrier between you and the environment where you move.

Treatment

All of these traits are compatible with deep depression. However, the difference is that those who suffer from Bornout Syndrome have acquired it specifically due to overwork.

Before these patterns of behavior are manifested there are long periods in which work hours were abused and hardly any space was left for the other aspects of life. In the most serious cases, this problem requires pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment.

It is best not to allow things to go to such extremes. Remember that work is as important as rest and that family, friends and fun should have an important place in your life. Otherwise what is it worth working for?

Image courtesy of jazbeck