Burnout & how therapy can help
Since the 2020 pandemic shutdown of the knowledge-worker workplace, burnout’s become an increasingly discussed concept and widespread issue, which isn’t surprising in a capitalist culture that stresses toxic productivity. Burnout occurs when we’re overworked, overtaxed, and completely overwhelmed physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s not just feeling overworked in the workplace because it can’t be compartmentalized; it’s feeling overwhelmed everywhere because of all the things. If you’re feeling burned out, you’re probably at a place where all you want to do is be left alone.
Even a vacation isn’t going to solve it because the very thought of planning and packing for a vacation is too much. (Plus, what’s causing the burnout could follow you on vacation too.) A staycation may not be much better because technology (i.e., emails and texts) are still present. As may be other responsibilities, like feeding yourself and taking care of anyone with whom you share a home. And crawling into a hole isn’t a feasible option.
When you’re burned out, you don’t want one more person (including your beloved partner, kid, or even pet) to ask one more thing of you. You can’t handle one more setback or piece of bad news. Burnout occurs when more has been asked of you than you’re able to give for a prolonged period of time.
How do I know if I'm experiencing burnout?
You may notice yourself feeling agitated and irritable; perhaps the thought of being asked to do anything (no matter how small) makes you want to scream.
You may be questioning the point of doing anything because nothing seems to work; perhaps you’re more pessimistic or resentful. You also may find that what used to bring you pleasure no longer does. You likely feel not just depleted but empty or like you’ve been empty for weeks or months already.
You may continue to press forward because you’re told you have to (if not by a boss or partner or kids’ needs maybe by internalizing our culture) and you’re finding yourself unable to get anything accomplished. Maybe you can’t concentrate or maybe what you used to be able to juggle just isn’t possible anymore.
You may feel helpless and unmotivated. You’re trying hard but nothing is working. This could be true at work or because you just don’t see a role you can play in what you see as the insurmountable issues.
You may feel exhausted on every level to the point you don’t look forward to anything.
You may recognize physical changes; maybe your ability to sleep has changed or you’re getting more headaches or your belly feels upset.
How can therapy help?
In this state of utter exhaustion where you not only feel completely ineffective and nothing seems to be bringing you pleasure, focusing on recovering and reconnecting to yourself is of first-line importance. If anxiety and/or depression has accompanied your burnout, we’ll address that too.
Having restored some energy, we’ll concentrate on learning methods of conserving that energy. What do you actually need to do–at work, at home, or in social situations? While monitoring energy levels, we’ll begin to dive into another layer: what’s causing the burnout? A toxic workplace? An unhealthy relationship? Trying to be perfect in ALL the ways?
We’ll be able to think about how the sources of burnout intersect with your values and assess what change is needed to protect your energy. We’ll explore what gives you energy and how to get more of that into your life.
Part of treating burnout is helping you care less where you don’t want to care and helping you conserve and reserve energy for where you want to care more.