Marcos Mendanha, doctor and author of the book ‘What no one told you about Burnout’, comments on the prevention and impact of the syndrome on young people
The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined burnout as a syndrome resulting from emotional stress in the workplace that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three main components: emotional exhaustion (feeling tired and exhausted), depersonalization (feeling cynicism and detachment from work and colleagues), and poor professional achievement (feeling of ineffectiveness and lack of fulfillment at work).
According to the doctor, director and professor of the Faculty of Cenbrap, Marcos Mendanha, there are several hypotheses as to why today young people suffer more from frustration and anxiety.
“One of the hypotheses is the technological moment in which they grew up, where the speed of information and effectiveness are seen as normal and expected in all areas of life. When success does not happen at the expected speed, the frustration generated works as a stressor that causes fatigue, burnout and, in severe cases, illness,” says Mendanha.
“Another hypothesis is the historical moment in which we live, with fewer food shortages and a wide range of professional opportunities, which leads to an increase in personal and existential ambitions. However, life does not always follow our plans and goals, which can lead to frustrations and fatigue, so it is necessary to know how to live and find a balance between our expectations and the reality that surrounds us”, he concludes.
Warning signs
It’s important to remember that burnout can affect people of all ages, including young people. Therefore, it is crucial that parents are attentive and provide emotional support to their children, helping them to find a healthy balance between work, study and leisure.
“Parents should be aware of any significant changes in the young person’s behavior, such as increased isolation, reduced academic or professional performance, loss of interest in activities previously considered pleasurable, as well as frequent and intense mood swings, among other signs. These changes can be indicative of emotional issues, including burnout,” warns Mendanha.
If parents notice these signs, they should talk to the child and try to understand what is happening.
“They should try to be understanding and offer help and emotional support to the child. When necessary, seek professional help from a psychologist or psychiatrist to help the young person deal with their emotional or anxiety problems,” advises the doctor, who coordinates the studies, courses and events on psychiatry and the mental health of workers.
Stress syndrome or burnout
According to studies, there are two basic types of stress: adaptive and non-adaptive. The adaptive is acute and aims to protect us from extreme situations, while the chronic and long-lasting is considered non-adaptive.
Burnout syndrome is a state of fatigue related to chronic work-related stress, which can lead to tiredness, fatigue and, in some cases, illness.
Recent research on burnout has contributed to a better understanding of this syndrome and its causes. A study published in 2020 in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology analyzed the risk factors for burnout in nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study identified that increased emotional work, lack of resources, and fear of contagion were major risk factors for burnout in these health care workers.
The study published in 2021 in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology investigated the relationship between self-management and burnout in workers who worked in home offices during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study found that effective self-management was associated with lower levels of burnout.
These studies highlight the importance of understanding the risk factors for burnout and researching effective strategies to prevent and treat this syndrome.
care and cure
WHO considers burnout as work-related fatigue. «A stage after fatigue and before the disease, the cure of which, then, passes through two aspects. First, the organizational one: the institution must review its modus operandi in the sense that there is promotion of mental health, and not its destruction. fatigue, burnout and mental disorders resulting from chronic stress at work are avoided,” clarifies Dr. Marcos Mendanha.
“This will ultimately drive higher profitability and savings for organizations and there is already solid data to prove it,” he adds.
Second aspect, individual: it is necessary for the worker himself, who is more interested in his own mental health, to take care of himself.
For example: sleeping better, eating better, practicing physical activity, cultivating real healthy and happy social bonds, practicing good spirituality and self-knowledge, for example.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
