Stress: The origin of burnout

Definition of stress
  • According to Lazarus and Folkman, stress is “resulted from an imbalance between demands and resources or occurred when pressure exceeds one’s perceived ability to cope.”4
  • Stress can be a positive experience in that it keeps one alert, motivated and ready to face challenges or changes (stressors); but stress can become a problem when stressors persist without relief or periods of relaxation which can eventually lead to burnout.3,5,6

Stress: The origin of burnout

Sources of stress4
Job
  • Heavy workload
  • Time pressure
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Irregular meals
  • Threat of malpractice suits
Organisation
  • Poor career structure and uncertainties
  • Inadequacy of resources and staff
  • Lack of senior support
  • Poor organisation’s culture and climate
Doctor
  • Personality
  • High demands on self and colleagues
  • Confrontation with emotional and physical suffering
Relationships
  • Staff conflicts
  • Professional isolation
  • Low-level support from friends and family
  • High patients’ expectations and demands
Personal life
  • Stress over-spill from work to home and vice versa
  • Lack of leisure activities
  • Lack of free time
  • Home demands
  • Disruptions to social life

Stress: The origin of burnout

Symptoms of stress7
The UK National Health Service (NHS) identifies the following symptoms of stress:
Physical symptoms
  • Headache or dizziness
  • Muscle tension or pain
  • Stomach problems
  • Chest pain or a faster heartbeat
  • Sexual problems
Mental symptoms
  • Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Constantly worrying
  • Being forgetful
Behavioural changes
  • Being irritable and snappy
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Eating too much or too little
  • Avoiding certain places or people
  • Drinking or smoking more

Stress: The origin of burnout

Coping with stress
To prevent the persistency of stress from turning into burnout, the NHS suggests “10 stress busters” to help relieve stress:8

1.

Exercise to reduce your emotional intensity, clear your thoughts, and calm yourself.

2.

Take control and manage your time.

3.

Connect with colleagues, friends and family to get support and relax.

4.

Get quality “me time” away from work a few nights a week.

5.

Set yourself goals to continue learning and be emotionally resilient.

6.

Avoid dependence on alcohol, smoking or caffeine.

7.

Help other people in the community to become more resilient.

8.

Work smarter by prioritising your work.

9.

Try to be positive by writing down three things that you are grateful for at the end of every day.

10.

Accept things that you cannot change and concentrate on those you can control.