Burnout syndrome is an inadequate response to chronic stress and is characterized by presenting three dimensions, among which are: tiredness or emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or dehumanization and lack or decrease of personal fulfillment within the work environment. Burnout syndrome occurs in those people who, due to the nature of their work, must be in frequent and direct contact with other people, such as health workers, those who work in the branch of education or within the social sphere.
It is important to note that Burnout syndrome can have consequences quite negative, both level physical and psychological. Among the most common symptoms are depression and anxiety, which are responsible for the vast majority of sick leave.
The Burnout Syndrome presents a symptomatology quite similar to the symptoms that are related to work stress in general, but despite this, in the case of Burnout, its intensity can increase, especially in everything that is related to changes of behavior or character. Among which can be found:
- Changes of state of mind: this is one of the most characteristic symptoms of the burnout syndrome. It is quite common for the worker in this situation to become irritable and in a bad mood.
- Demotivation: The individual loses all illusion for his work. All the objectives and goals give way to disappointment and the thought of having to endure high stress situations day after day that exceed their capabilities and each working day becomes endless.
- Mental exhaustion: the gradual wear generates burnout syndrome in the affected causes resistance to stress is declining, reason why to the body costing more and more work to do against the factors causing the stress.
Despite the advances developed by research in specific fields, even today there are different positions regarding the type of intervention that is most consistent when correcting it: either of an individual type, emphasizing psychological action, or of social or organizational type, affecting working conditions.
