Dr LeCrone
05-31-2006, 12:16 PM
Exposure to prolonged, unrelenting pressure, especially on the job, can lead to negative consequences that take some of the following forms:
• Dullness, distancing, detachment, and finally despair.
• Pessimism, sarcasm, humorlessness.
• The desire to escape the pain, often in unhealthy ways such as substance abuse, extramarital affairs, and compulsive gambling.
• Sleep problems, unhealthy appetite patterns, loss of interest in sex.
• Increased physical problems.
• Rejection of friends, family, and even activities which formerly yielded pleasure.
• Frequent feelings of being overwhelmed.
• Erosion of self-confidence.
• Difficulties in concentration and memory.
• Compromises in character and value systems.
• Feelings of being used, taken for granted and then discarded.
• Loss of objectivity diminished insight and impaired judgment.
All these symptoms may not all occur and may vary in intensity, frequency and duration. Some authorities label a pre-burnout phase, brownout. The browning out individual often falsely believes that they can continue to drive themselves and not progress into burnout.
Fortunately, help is available for these individuals. Interruption of the problems in the brownout phase usually yields quicker results and recognition of the problem at this stage along with commitment to change should be encouraged.
Some strategies may be helpful to the burnout victim:
• Introduce some variety into the routine. Change the work pattern, the working environment, the working times when possible. Changes such as these can help reintroduce feelings of control to someone who senses a loss of control as is common in burnout.
• Take steps to relieve pressure by exercising, minimizing caffeine, deceasing "shoulds" and "oughts," delegating authority and increasing time management skills.
• Learn to say "no more" more often.
• Seek support from friends, relatives and co-workers.
• Seek balance of work, play and spiritual enrichment.
• Work to live--not live to work--by re-examining priorities.
• Don't work through lunch.
• End you workday at a reasonable time; set limits and stick to them.
• Give priority to family and relationships instead of material gains, unquenchable recognition, power and control.
• Step back frequently and try to honestly look at where the path you are on is leading you.
• Seek professional help, if necessary.
Remember, burnout can impair health, relationships and quality of life. Don't let it happen to you.
Copyright c 1993 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.
• Dullness, distancing, detachment, and finally despair.
• Pessimism, sarcasm, humorlessness.
• The desire to escape the pain, often in unhealthy ways such as substance abuse, extramarital affairs, and compulsive gambling.
• Sleep problems, unhealthy appetite patterns, loss of interest in sex.
• Increased physical problems.
• Rejection of friends, family, and even activities which formerly yielded pleasure.
• Frequent feelings of being overwhelmed.
• Erosion of self-confidence.
• Difficulties in concentration and memory.
• Compromises in character and value systems.
• Feelings of being used, taken for granted and then discarded.
• Loss of objectivity diminished insight and impaired judgment.
All these symptoms may not all occur and may vary in intensity, frequency and duration. Some authorities label a pre-burnout phase, brownout. The browning out individual often falsely believes that they can continue to drive themselves and not progress into burnout.
Fortunately, help is available for these individuals. Interruption of the problems in the brownout phase usually yields quicker results and recognition of the problem at this stage along with commitment to change should be encouraged.
Some strategies may be helpful to the burnout victim:
• Introduce some variety into the routine. Change the work pattern, the working environment, the working times when possible. Changes such as these can help reintroduce feelings of control to someone who senses a loss of control as is common in burnout.
• Take steps to relieve pressure by exercising, minimizing caffeine, deceasing "shoulds" and "oughts," delegating authority and increasing time management skills.
• Learn to say "no more" more often.
• Seek support from friends, relatives and co-workers.
• Seek balance of work, play and spiritual enrichment.
• Work to live--not live to work--by re-examining priorities.
• Don't work through lunch.
• End you workday at a reasonable time; set limits and stick to them.
• Give priority to family and relationships instead of material gains, unquenchable recognition, power and control.
• Step back frequently and try to honestly look at where the path you are on is leading you.
• Seek professional help, if necessary.
Remember, burnout can impair health, relationships and quality of life. Don't let it happen to you.
Copyright c 1993 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.