Burnout is something a number of my clients have come to therapy with over the past several years. Some clients arrive in therapy feeling depleted after years in a job or situation where pressure seems ever-present and expectations feel endless. For others, burnout has arisen during the therapy process, as we explore other aspect of their lives. I’ve noticed that burnout is increasingly affecting younger generations. According to a recent Irish Examiner article, younger workers are taking more stress-related absences from work, which speaks to the sense of mounting pressures that today’s workforce is facing. Read more here.
Burnout is not just occasional fatigue or stress—it’s something deeper that affects your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. It’s a form of exhaustion that can leave you feeling detached from your work, your purpose, and even yourself. In the most recent revision of the International Classification of Diseases, burnout is defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Thankfully, burnout is not a permanent state. With the right support, it is possible to heal, regain energy, and find renewed purpose. Therapy can provide a space to explore the underlying causes of burnout and make the changes necessary for recovery.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is a relatively new term that refers to a state of profound depletion—physical, emotional, and mental—that is often the result of prolonged exposure to stress, particularly in work environments. The symptoms are varied: from chronic tiredness and physical ailments like headaches or digestive issues, to emotional numbness, deep sadness or anger, and a sense of detachment from work or life in general. For some, burnout brings feelings of despair or hopelessness and is characterised by feeling that you lack control over your situation.
In Civilization and its Discontents (1930/1961), Sigmund Freud wrote that, “The communal life of human beings had… a twofold foundation: the compulsion to work… and the power of love…” What Freud was getting at is that personal freedom, human relationships, and meaningful work are all fundamental to our sense of wellbeing. Burnout can indicate a profound disruption in one or more of these areas. When we lose a sense of purpose in our work, experience difficulty in work relationships, or feel like we have no agency in our own lives, burnout becomes a very real possibility.
Another important factor is how we relate to ourselves. Often, our inner critic—the voice that tells us we’re never “good enough” or that we need to keep pushing—can contribute significantly to burnout. Many of these messages come from our upbringing and early life experiences, where we internalised the belief that we need to be perfect or meet high expectations to be valued. Therapy can help identify these patterns so you can choose different ways of relating to yourself, which can be crucial in preventing further future burnout.
Finally, burnout can be a symptom of being out of sync with our deeper self. When our work doesn’t align with our personal values or when we lose connection to a sense of purpose, we can become drained. Burnout can then act as a call to re-examine what truly matters to us.
How Do I Know If I’m Burned Out?
Burnout can build up gradually over time. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at what’s going on:
- Increased anger or resentment toward work: If you’re starting to feel angry, irritated, or resentful when it comes to your job, that’s often a sign that burnout is taking hold.
- Physical symptoms: Stress can manifest physically. You might experience frequent headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, or just feel perpetually tired.
- Emotional detachment: Feeling disconnected from your work or your life, or struggling to feel passionate or engaged with the things you once cared about, is a common sign.
- Fatigue: Burnout can manifest as a tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest. Even if you’ve had a full night’s sleep, you might still feel drained and exhausted.
- Declining performance: If you’re struggling to concentrate, make decisions, or complete tasks, you may be experiencing burnout.
- Dreading work: If you’re finding yourself anxious or dreading the idea of going to work every day, burnout may be the reason.
- Helplessness or despair: A sense of hopelessness or feeling like there’s no way out of your current situation is a strong signal that burnout is present.
If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s important to address them.
Is Recovery Possible?
Absolutely. In fact, burnout can be seen as a wake-up call—an opportunity to reflect on what needs to change in your life. It’s often a sign that something isn’t working and that it’s time to make adjustments, either externally in your work environment or internally in your mindset and approach to life.
When you experience burnout, it’s as though your body and mind are signaling that they need deep rest and restoration, or a significant change. It may be time to take stock of your life and begin asking important questions about what you truly need. Is your work fulfilling you? Are your relationships supporting you? Are you living in alignment with your values? If you heed this call, burnout can offer the chance for growth and renewal.
How Can Therapy Help with This?
Therapy can provide a safe, reflective environment where you can explore the deeper causes of your exhaustion and begin the healing process. Therapy can be a space to explore your values, your needs, and what truly matters to you. Psychotherapy can also support you to identify the specific factors contributing to your burnout—whether it’s organisational factors including work demands or a lack of support, or your own personal patterns. Understanding these triggers helps you take back control and make changes. Exploring your own behaviours and patterns can be a key part of this process. Are there any patterns of overwork or self-criticism that may be driving your burnout? Exploring the roots of these patterns can help to bring insight into how they are affecting you in the present. Additionally, if a harsh inner critic is telling you that you need to push harder or that you’re not good enough, psychotherapy can help you to examine and shift these thoughts. This work can also help you to clarify what is needed in your life in terms of boundaries, self-care, and a long term relationship with your work that is sustainable. If you’re struggling with burnout, therapy can be a transformative step toward recovery.
