What is Burnout?

Burnout is a medical condition characterized by a state of extreme mental, physical, and or emotional exhaustion resulting from long-term exposure to stress.

For a long time, Americans did not seem to take burnout seriously. That observation comes from personal experience and not from any scientifically backed research. After university, I lived in Europe for several years and it was there that I first saw the difference in how people talked about burnout. In Europe, it was talked about as a serious medical condition deserving of intervention. That intervention was easily accessible and folks could usually get some time off to rest and recover. In the United States, I had always heard burnout as the butt of a joke. It was not taken seriously and was usually talked about as if the person was a complainer or lazy.

But it is serious. According to the American Heart Association, studies have linked burnout to many health problems, including coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health distress. And burnout is on the rise. One recent study found that 59% of American workers experienced moderate to severe burnout; the numbers are higher among women, Hispanics, and Millennials.

There are different types of burnout and many types of exposure to chronic stress that lead to it. So what are those?

Three Types of Burnout

There are three categories of burnout: overload burnout, under-challenge burnout, and neglect burnout.

1. Overload Burnout: Perhaps the most often discussed form of burnout, this form is about too much. Too much stress, work, for too long, without end in sight. Paradoxically, folks experiencing overload burnout will often double down, mistakenly thinking that doing even more will get them out of the hole they’re in.

2. Under-Challenge Burnout: This form of burnout occurs when folks become overwhelmed by feelings of a lack of appreciation, a lack of a challenge, or a lack of opportunity for growth or advancement. I think unseen and stuck when I think of this form of burnout. People experiencing this form of burnout can become withdrawn, disengaged, and or cynical.

3. Neglect Burnout: This form of burnout arises when needs go chronically unmet, and a sense of helplessness or lack of self-determination arises. Folks experiencing this form of burnout can feel a sense of resignation, and lack of motivation. When I think of neglect burnout, I think, “why bother?”

Non-Work Burnout

The most common situation in which people experience burnout is probably the workplace. But what other situations can lead to burnout?

Burnout is about doing too much of something that’s unhealthy or does not meet your needs for too long. So of course other situations can cause burnout. Unfortunately, non-work burnout is less understood. According to Psychology Today, stigma or lack of open dialog can unfortunately folks suffering from non-work burnout may be less likely to get help or open up about their struggles.

Here are some other forms of non-work burnout:

1. Parental Burnout: A form of burnout that results from focusing exclusively on the needs of your child(ren) to the exclusion of your needs, for too long or without pause. According to WebMD, parental burnout is not simply a normal part of being a parent and is worthy of care and intervention. Untreated it can result in emotional distancing from your child(ren), overwhelming exhaustion, emotional/mental distress, and or overwhelming feelings of being a bad/ineffective parent.

2. Relationship Burnout: A form of burnout that arises when relationship stress becomes chronic. Like other forms of burnout, relationship burnout can lead to withdrawal, apathy, and or cynicism.

3. Caregiver Burnout: This form of burnout is defined as the emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion resulting from providing long-term care for another person. Folks experiencing caregiver burnout can feel exhaustion, fatigue, anxiety, and or depression.

4. Misalignment Burnout: This form of burnout occurs when a person is chronically exposed to environments or situations that go against their values, beliefs, or essential self. There are many reasons why a person might be in situations that don’t align with who they are, like social pressure, family expectations, or financial incentives. Symptoms of misalignment burnout can include feelings of cognitive dissonance, fatigue, stress, emotional exhaustion, and lack of fulfillment.

Misalignment Burnout

Misalignment burnout is one of the least discussed forms of burnout. Like the other forms of non-work burnout, cultural, social, or generational mores influence how and whether folks seek intervention. Groups that value hard work above wellbeing are most likely to balk at misalignment burnout.

The most common pushback I get when talking about misalignment burnout is the idea that to live in alignment is a luxury reserved for the few. But if you really stop to think about it, misalignment burnout is just a name for something many, many people suffer through every day. It’s the discomfort and dissonance felt when parents pressure children to pursue a certain profession. It’s the stress felt when it’s not safe or acceptable to be who you are. It’s the nagging feeling that you’re meant for something more.

The problem now has a name.