WEBVTT

00:00:08.412 --> 00:00:13.988
There is some debate among experts
on the precise nature of burnout

00:00:13.988 --> 00:00:17.180
and so there is no single
authoritative definition.

00:00:17.632 --> 00:00:21.000
However they do agree

00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.600
that burnout is caused
by stressful activities

00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:26.668
in and outside the workplace.

00:00:27.025 --> 00:00:31.000
One example of
a source of stress outside of work is

00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:33.116
caring for a family member.

00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:36.000
Possible causes include:

00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:38.834
• constantly having
too much or too little to do,

00:00:38.834 --> 00:00:40.636
• being under constant time pressure,

00:00:40.636 --> 00:00:42.541
• having conflicts with colleagues,

00:00:42.541 --> 00:00:45.000
• but also extreme commitment

00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:49.000
that results in people
neglecting their own needs.

00:00:49.577 --> 00:00:52.000
People with burnout end up feeling

00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:54.000
that they can’t go on,

00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:56.013
are completely exhausted

00:00:56.013 --> 00:01:00.771
and feel “burnt out”.

00:01:01.207 --> 00:01:05.334
There are three main symptoms
that are now considered

00:01:05.334 --> 00:01:08.000
to be signs of burnout:

00:01:08.346 --> 00:01:12.000
• exhaustion: people affected

00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:13.723
feel drained and emotionally exhausted,

00:01:13.723 --> 00:01:16.000
don't have enough energy,

00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:18.182
are unable to cope,

00:01:18.182 --> 00:01:20.000
experience fatigue and despondency,

00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:23.000
but also physical symptoms such as pain

00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:25.191
and gastrointestinal problems.

00:01:25.929 --> 00:01:29.984
• alienation from
(often work-related) activities:

00:01:29.984 --> 00:01:34.827
people affected increasingly find
work stressful and frustrating.

00:01:34.827 --> 00:01:37.000
They may develop a cynical attitude

00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:40.401
towards their
working conditions and colleagues.

00:01:40.401 --> 00:01:43.845
They may increasingly
distance themselves emotionally

00:01:43.845 --> 00:01:48.302
and start finding their work
mind-numbingly dull.

00:01:49.627 --> 00:01:52.000
• reduced performance:

00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:56.000
burnout mainly affects everyday tasks

00:01:56.000 --> 00:02:00.000
at work, at home
or when caring for family members.

00:02:00.361 --> 00:02:04.000
People with burnout
are very negative about their tasks,

00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.242
find it hard to concentrate,
are listless

00:02:07.242 --> 00:02:10.000
and report they have run out of ideas.

00:02:11.134 --> 00:02:15.000
There may be other causes
for these symptoms

00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:17.013
that need to be ruled out

00:02:17.013 --> 00:02:19.677
before arriving at a diagnosis of burnout.

00:02:20.074 --> 00:02:23.562
Certain symptoms ascribed to burnout

00:02:23.562 --> 00:02:27.000
also occur during depression, for example.

00:02:27.601 --> 00:02:31.375
However alienation, particularly from work,

00:02:31.375 --> 00:02:35.808
is a feature of burnout
rather than depression.

00:02:36.632 --> 00:02:40.374
The negative thoughts and feelings

00:02:40.374 --> 00:02:44.000
experienced during depression
do not only relate to work

00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:46.236
but all areas of life.

00:02:46.815 --> 00:02:49.000
Other characteristic signs of depression

00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:52.370
that do not normally apply to burnout

00:02:52.370 --> 00:02:53.592
include:

00:02:53.592 --> 00:02:56.000
• low self-esteem,

00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.000
• all-encompassing feelings of hopelessness

00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:01.000
• and suicidal thoughts.

00:03:01.743 --> 00:03:05.564
However
burnout symptoms may increase the risk

00:03:05.564 --> 00:03:07.815
of developing depression.

00:03:08.664 --> 00:03:11.128
Depending on the primary symptoms,

00:03:11.128 --> 00:03:13.454
people with burnout may be prescribed

00:03:13.454 --> 00:03:17.059
a short-term course of medication
to combat fatigue, sleeping tablets,

00:03:17.059 --> 00:03:19.747
tranquilizers or painkillers.

00:03:20.335 --> 00:03:23.435
Antidepressants
can also help in the short term

00:03:23.435 --> 00:03:25.382
in severe cases of burnout.

00:03:26.005 --> 00:03:28.104
Behavioral therapy-based methods

00:03:28.104 --> 00:03:30.704
are a promising option in the medium term.

00:03:30.704 --> 00:03:33.088
Over the long term it is a good idea
to take practical action

00:03:33.088 --> 00:03:37.370
to change the external situation
causing the burnout.

00:03:39.231 --> 00:03:41.000
In short:

00:03:41.882 --> 00:03:46.000
Burnout is caused
by stressful activities

00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:50.179
in and outside the workplace
such as caring for family members.

00:03:51.623 --> 00:03:55.000
Persistently
having too much or too little to do,

00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:57.383
being under time pressure,
having conflicts

00:03:57.383 --> 00:03:59.932
or neglecting one’s own needs

00:03:59.932 --> 00:04:03.787
combine to make people
feel completely “burnt out”.

00:04:04.318 --> 00:04:08.000
More precisely,
people with burnout feel exhausted

00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:12.000
and alienated, particularly from work.

00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:15.528
They also have reduced performance.

00:04:16.123 --> 00:04:18.564
Medication can help in the short term

00:04:18.564 --> 00:04:22.000
and behavioral therapy in the medium term,
but ultimately

00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:27.119
the situation causing the burnout
needs to be changed.