The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon. Burnout can look different in everyone and affect every aspect of your life, not just work. Some signs and symptoms of burnout include exhaustion, loss of energy, depersonalization, cynicism, and reduced efficiency. If you have those symptoms at the same time, you've likely burnt out.
Left untreated, burnout can lead to mental conditions like anxiety and depression, so it's important to recognize the symptoms and get help.
You can prevent burnout by carving out time each day to rest from work. It's also important for employers to set a good example and prevent employees from taking on too much work. But realistically, no matter how much self-care or time away from work you take, a toxic work environment will stay toxic. The solution to burnout, for some, is finding a job elsewhere.
Other times, you really do just need a break. And not just a 3-day weekend. To mitigate burnout, you typically need a full reset and extended time away from the environment causing you harm.
Do Rehabs Treat Burnout?
Yes, many centres focus specifically on treating burnout. Many other rehab centres treat co-occurring mental health disorders like depression alongside burnout. You can attend several levels of treatment for burnout. These include:
- Outpatient, where you meet once or twice a week with others in treatment and your care provider.
- Intensive outpatient, where you meet 3-5 times a week for several hours at a time for more intensive care.
- Partial hospitalization, where you meet 5-7 times a week for a full day, or most of one.
- Residential, where you live in a rehab centre for 28+ days and engage in treatment with a community of peers and treatment providers.
- Inpatient, where you live in a treatment centre or hospital and receive 24/7 monitoring. This can be important if you're experiencing extreme distress and need monitoring.
In each level of care, you'll likely receive 1-1 therapy with a therapist and group therapy. The exact type of therapies used will vary based on your symptoms, medical history, age, and more. But you can expect to engage in one or more types of evidence-based therapy throughout your treatment.
When looking at rehabs for burnout, you may want to consider a relaxing location, like the beach, so you can better focus on treatment. Providers in Southeast Asia tend to offer holistic programs that can be well-suited to treating burnout. Many executive centres have treatment plans that are tailored to the needs of an overworked professional.
These environments mimic a wellness retreat, but usually with more emphasis on your mental and emotional wellbeing. A rehab for burnout can also teach you coping tools to use when you go home. Combined, these aspects can offer a genuinely transformative experience in your present and future.
What Therapies Are Used to Treat Burnout?
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): a form of psychotherapy that encourages you to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Studies have shown CBT can significantly help with burnout.
- Stress Management Training: sessions that teach you how to manage stress, either through cognitive training or learning skills like breathwork, mindfulness, and grounding activities you can do in the moment.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): a short-term form of psychotherapy that helps you identify and address interpersonal issues that may contribute to your burnout.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): an approach that combines elements of CBT and mindfulness to help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how they could contribute to burnout.
- Medication: some medications, like antidepressants, can reduce symptoms of contributing mental health conditions.
Psychiatrists and therapists often use a combination of different therapies depending on the individual patient's needs and unique presentation of burnout. Psychiatrists may also prescribe medication as an adjunct to therapy. Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to help the patient to develop healthy coping skills and strategies to manage burnout.
Medications for Burnout
Certain medications can help manage the conditions that may contribute to, or worsen, burnout.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are an effective class of medications for depression and anxiety. Other forms of medications may be a better fit for you. Your doctor or psychiatrist will match you to an effective antidepressant.
Finding the right fit may take time. Your prescriber may try different doses and different medication classes before your symptoms abate. Depending on your situation and symptoms, you may take medications for a few months or for a few years.
When talking to your doctor about medications for mental health, keep these questions in mind:
- How long will it take for me to feel the medication's effects?
- Will this medication, or class of medications, interact with any supplements or other medications I'm taking?
- What time of day should I take this medication?
- Can I take this on an empty stomach or do I need to eat beforehand?
- What are the most common side effects?
- Does this medication have a Black Box/Boxed warning for an increased risk of suicide? (Your doctor will most likely bring this up right away, but it's good to check.)
- Could this prescription become addictive?
- What will withdrawals look like if we decide to stop this medication and/or try another?
What Is Dual Diagnosis: Understanding Burnout and Addiction
A dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorder, is a mental health disorder that accompanies a substance use disorder.
Burnout and addiction often co-occur, meaning that a person can suffer from both a condition affecting their mental health (burnout) and a substance use disorder (addiction) at the same time. People with burnout may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to try to manage their symptoms, which can lead to addiction.
In the US, over 9 million adults have a co-occuring disorder and half of those with a serious mental disorder have co-occurring substance use disorder.
To navigate burnout, you and your care team may use a combination of therapy and medications. With the right treatment, you can manage burnout and treat it entirely.
Is Burnout a Chronic Condition?
Treatment for burnout and leaving the situation causing it can reduce symptoms and/or treat them. If left untreated, burnout could be a chronic condition.
Burnout can recur throughout your life. But recurrences can be treated efficiently and quickly.
Is It Possible to Experience a Recurrence of Burnout?
Getting burnt out again is possible. You can seek professional treatment to understand and treat the root causes of burnout to prevent future relapses. Most burnout treatment programs include relapse prevention planning, aftercare, and connections to additional resources, like support groups.
A recurrence doesn't mean your treatment failed. It just means you need additional help to get back into healing.
Can I Use The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Burnout Treatment in The U.S.?
If your burnout is clinically defined as a serious health condition, then you can receive Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) support. The FMLA ensures that you do not lose your job when taking necessary time (up to 12 weeks) off to heal from a serious health condition. This act also guarantees that you retain the same terms of employment that you originally had for your job.
What's provided in your FMLA may vary and has requirements for eligibility. Talk with your Human Resources (HR) department at work or look online for more information on FMLAs.
How to Talk to Your Provider About Burnout
Approaching your provider with concerns about burnout might seem daunting at first, but you can keep a few key points in mind as you take this first step towards healing.
- Note your own symptoms and have them ready to explain. This can help you work through any nerves and stay on-topic if the appointment shifts directions.
- Explain your work environment in detail.
- Explain your attitude towards work, when you're at work and when you're home.
- Explain what your home life looks like and how much time and energy you spend thinking about, dreading, or working on work.
- Bring up your work performance and how it may have decreased since your symptoms began.
You can then ask your doctor more clarifying questions, including:
- How would you describe the symptoms I'm experiencing?
- What treatments do you recommend for burnout?
- What should I expect from treatment?
- What kind of side effects can I expect from the medications you prescribe, if any?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make to help manage my burnout?
- Are there any support groups or other resources I can use to help manage my burnout?
- What kind of follow-up care do you recommend?
- How can I tell if my burnout is getting worse?
- What should I do if my symptoms don't improve?
- Are there any other mental health conditions I should be aware of?
As you talk about your symptoms, your doctor may want to rule out depression, anxiety, or a stress disorder. They might ask clarifying questions as you describe your symptoms or suggest another possible cause. If/when you both conclude burnout is the culprit, your doctor will move onto the next steps in your care.
How Can I Find Support?
- Rehabs for Burnout and Stress
- Telehealth Provider
- Talk to a supportive friend or family member
- Talk to your primary care physician
- National Helplines
Lifestyle Changes for Burnout
Small lifestyle changes can help manage burnout and reduce stress. In cases where you're unable to switch jobs or want to try managing your burnout before leaving, you can try lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
Stay Close to Your Support Group Stay connected to friends and family to maintain a strong support network as you navigate your symptoms and treatment. You can identify someone you can vent about your day to if that helps. Supportive loved ones and friends can also support you if you decide to leave a toxic workplace.
Sleep Hygiene Establish a regular sleep routine and prioritize getting enough sleep. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, create a sleep-friendly environment, and practice relaxation techniques before bed to promote better sleep quality.
Stress Management Try stress-reducing activities like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga. These practices can help manage stress levels and improve overall well-being.
Spending time on hobbies and activities you enjoy can also help reduce stress and give you a break from a work mindset. Regular exercise can help too, especially if it's an activity you enjoy.
Healthy Diet Maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to improve your overall wellness.