Burnout isn’t just a buzzword for being tired; it’s a specific psychological syndrome with three key symptoms. A clinical psychologist helps decode the language of burnout, explaining how these symptoms are the end result of the chronic physiological stress that our modern work culture fosters.
- Overwhelming Exhaustion (Lethargy): This is the most obvious sign. It’s a bone-deep fatigue that isn’t fixed by a weekend of rest. The expert explains this is physiological; your body’s hormonal and nervous systems are depleted from being in a constant state of high alert.
- Feelings of Cynicism and Detachment: This is an emotional coping mechanism. To protect yourself from the constant stress and disappointment of your job, you begin to emotionally detach. This is connected to the advice to “decouple from peers,” but in burnout, it becomes a more global and negative detachment from your entire job.
- A Sense of Inefficacy and Lack of Accomplishment: Despite working hard, you feel like you’re not making a difference. This is a cognitive symptom. The physiological effects of stress impair your cognitive function, so your performance actually does suffer, creating a vicious cycle where you feel ineffective because you are biologically less effective.
Recognizing these signs is the first step. The five expert tips are not just for stress; they are a direct intervention plan to prevent and recover from burnout.