Burn to evil: what problems cause emotional fatigue

Russians are increasingly referring to so-called burnout in difficult life situations, and many confuse this condition with ordinary fatigue. Sometimes a fashionable term is called physical fatigue or even laziness. What is emotional burnout, how dangerous it is and how to avoid it — in the Izvestia article.

When the resource runs out

40% of Russians complain about burnout, while 21% of respondents find it difficult to identify this condition. Doctors recommend in this case not to make assumptions on your own, but to contact specialists.

From the point of view of psychology and psychiatry, burnout has primarily emotional causes, explained psychiatrist and psychotherapist Alexei Vilkov to Izvestia. This condition usually occurs in those who experience serious stress when working with people, in particular doctors and educators.

— These people get a certain load on their psyche, and if this load is too high or the person does not rest enough, then the so-called emotional fatigue appears. Her symptoms are apathy, mood swings, anxiety, irritability. People lose motivation to work, they don't have the strength to do their usual and even favorite things, and sleep may be disrupted," says Alexey Vilkov.

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When emotional burnout is specifically related to work, the stress factor affects the psyche, causes decompensation of the nervous system, which leads to a deterioration of the mental state, the expert says.

According to the psychiatrist, burnout can occur not only in professional activities, but in any field where there is emotional stress, negative emotions manifest themselves due to fixation.

— Of course, young mothers and people who care for elderly parents often burn out. In these cases, a lot of effort is spent on emotional connection with children or elderly relatives: you need to empathize, show empathy. The resource is gradually running out," warns Alexey Vilkov.

One of the most unpleasant consequences of burnout is that the ability to empathize is lost, and empathy decreases. A person may seem cynical and indifferent.

— But this is not because he has become like this — he just does not have the resource to show emotions. In this case, you do not need to use such drastic measures as, for example, changing jobs. It is important to try to find an opportunity for a good rest. For example, take a vacation for at least 2-3 weeks to regain emotions, replenish strength and restore this resource," comments Vilkov.

The psychiatrist emphasizes that when a person stays at rest for at least two weeks and is completely stress-free, emotions gradually recover, as well as the body's resources. And then he can feel normal again for a while while performing his professional duties.

Chronic fatigue and laziness

Outside of psychiatry and psychology, the term "burnout" is not used. They cannot replace the concepts of ordinary physical fatigue or fatigue.

— If we are talking about chronic fatigue in terms of somatics (physical fatigue), then it usually manifests itself in all areas — at work, in everyday life, when communicating, as well as running a household, — says Vilkov.

It is believed that zoomers have turned the term "burnout" into a fashionable diagnosis and an excuse for their own laziness. Behind this word, they hide their unwillingness to work and lack of an active lifestyle.

— Laziness is a universal quality. It manifests itself in all areas: not only in work, but also in those matters and responsibilities that a person needs to perform in addition to professional activities. Let's say you're too lazy to cook food, walk your dog, take up hobbies, and even actively relax," comments Alexey Vilkov.

Denis Prokofiev, a general practitioner with the status of "Moscow Doctor", emphasized that in medical terminology there are symptoms such as general weakness and increased fatigue. These conditions are a sign of many diagnoses, ranging from colds to anemia. According to Dr. Prokofiev, normally a person should not experience general weakness and fatigue if he adheres to sleep and wakefulness, eats right and leads an active lifestyle. And, of course, if he has no chronic diseases.

— Fatigue occurs when a person's daily routine is disrupted, the vitamin complex is disrupted due to improper, irrational nutrition — for example, if there are few vegetables and fruits in his daily diet. Then certain malfunctions occur in the body," warns the general practitioner.

Apathy and weakness can be the consequences of classic psychoemotional stress, when a person becomes mentally exhausted and loses interest in life. But there is also the concept of "oxidative (oxidative) stress", when the processes of oxidation and reduction in the body are disrupted, Denis Prokofiev emphasizes. Its causes, in particular, may be chronic diseases, a lack of foods with antioxidants in the diet, as well as contact with chemicals (varnishes, paints), the addition of preservatives and artificial flavors to food, etc.

— And here there really is a rather strong imbalance of all systems, fatigue sets in, — the general practitioner continues. — This overwork increases and increases imperceptibly, day after day. A person may not even notice the load, but unfortunately the body does not adapt to it, because it is impossible to adapt to a minimum amount of sleep and lack of physical activity. Sooner or later, this will lead to the development of diseases.

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Neurocharging from burnout

To protect yourself from burnout, you need to do prevention — set aside time for proper rest, change the types of activity. It is important to use the usual ways of relaxation, which include meditation, nature walks, pleasant positive emotions and communication. If a person knows how to get out of a state of emotional stress, then he is more protected from signs of burnout, is able to maintain working qualities and less painfully tolerates stressful situations, the psychiatrist emphasizes.

A general practitioner considers a condition when a person becomes uninterested in working and living, and apathy occurs to be a clear sign of emotional burnout. In order not to lose interest in professional activities or other pursuits, a general practitioner recommends that the brain be given a so-called neurocharge.

—Neural charging rebuilds the activity of the cerebral hemispheres, so that even routine activities do not seem tedious and boring," explains Denis Prokofiev. — A simple example: people tend to go to work one way, but for a change it is necessary to change the route, even if it becomes longer.

You can use the hemispheres of the brain in a different way, even if you take an apple or bread with your left hand instead of your right hand, as usual. Or vice versa. According to this logic, it is also useful to hold the handset to your left ear when talking, if you used to listen to the other person mainly with your right ear. These simple techniques will really help load the brain with other tasks and add variety to routine activities.