Burnout syndrome: Loss of contact to the outside world

The majority of patients affected by the so-called burnout syndrome live for their job and work, or continuously sacrifice their personal well-being for the sake of others. In principle, everyone can potentially be affected by burnout, irrespective of their job burden or corporate responsibilty, for example due to genetic predisposition.

As a rule of thumb, burnout syndromes develop and emerge over a prolonged period of time. Typically, previous excessive motivation and commitment gradually make way to resignation and social seclusion. In the final stage of this predominantly mental disorder, physical ailments such as headaches, excessive tiredness, sleeping disorders and gastro-intestinal dysfuntions often accompany gradually enhanced depressive symptoms.

The causes of burnout are manifold. In the majority of cases, excessive exertion and strain as well as continuous stress experienced in either job or within the family and persoanl relationships are significant contributory factors. A lack of recognition and appreciation from both the workplace and social network, coupled with the inability to cope with stress, are further strong contributory factors in causing this illness mainly prevalent in highly competitive environments. The inherent bodily early warning signals tend to be ignored over a long period of time.

In order for an effective therapy of the burnout syndrome to be successful, it is vital that the patient recognises that he or she is in need of medical, psychological or psychiatrical help and is willing to accept this. In the long term, a change in lifestyle is necessary. Individual requirements must be identified and integrated into the therapy in order to ensure that a work-life balance with the sufficient scope for relaxation can be achieved.