Stress and Burnout

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Stress is, for most people, a normal occurrence but should be an infrequent event in the ideal environment. It can help us to get things done.

Stress becomes a problem when it develops into a chronic issue, where either because of a person’s reactions to events or due to the environment they work in, stress becomes a minute by minute occurrence. People might feel there is little more they can do to control the situation.

It manifests itself through mental anxiety but also some physical sensations that can occur too, such as palpitations, feelings of panic, feeling sweaty or faint.

A doctor speaking to a patient

Burnout is quite different and in some ways is the opposite end of the spectrum – while a person responds too much when they are stressed, burnout is too little. Burnout can often develop if a person has been under stress for a prolonged period and is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. It is a sense of powerlessness and people may feel there is nothing they can do about their situation or that there is maybe no point. Some people describe burnout as being an upstream depression (some similar symptoms).

Good news is that both stress and burnout are completely modifiable experiences. Possible to change your response to events/ situations which will make us feel better, even without the environment in which you work changing.

Resources

The Competent Novice; How to handle stress and look after your mental health

The BMJ has published a number of reports surrounding the pressures placed on Healthcare Professionals; the link relates to an article with recommendations regarding coping with pressure for clinicians at all stages of their training.

Read the article