Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Providers with large, high-severity caseloads are at particularly high risk for burnout. Additional provider risk factors include having excessively high expectations, feeling inadequate or incompetent, feeling unappreciated for one’s work efforts, and believing one is expected to do more than is reasonable.
Providers whose work experience includes any of the following may be at risk of burnout.
- Working too much, without enough time for socializing or relaxing
- Feeling like one has little or no control over one’s work
- Feeling a lack of recognition for good work
- Increased frequency of errors
- Decreased motivation
The physical, emotional, and behavioral signs and symptoms of burnout, include:
Physical
- Constantly feeling tired and drained
- Lowered immunity, more frequent illness
- Reduced efficiency and energy
- Frequent headaches or muscle pain
- Changes in appetite or sleep habits
- Irritability
Emotional
- Sense of failure and self-doubt
- Feeling helpless, trapped, and defeated
- Feeling detached
- Being increasingly cynical and negative
- Decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment
Behavioral
- Withdrawing from responsibilities
- Isolating oneself from others
- Procrastinating, taking longer to get things done
- Using food, drugs, or alcohol to cope
- Taking out frustrations on others
- Increased work absenteeism