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12 Stages of Burnout

Marie TolmanHappiness & Resilience

Coach

Expert by Experience and Profession

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12 STAGES OF BURNOUTWhat it means to burnout

There’s no clear cut definition of what burnout is but the term first appeared in the 1970s from the psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. Freudgenberger and his colleague Gail North identified 12 stages that

lead up to burnout

These twelve stages don’t necessarily have to happen in order. Some people experience them all, others only experience some of them.

The physiological symptoms of burnout are caused by our fight or flight response. Whether we like it or not, this response can be triggered by

common work stressors (like trying to meet deadlines or finish projects).

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THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONCE

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The Compulsion to Prove Oneself

Demonstrating worth obsessively; tends to hit the best employees, those with enthusiasm who accept responsibility readily

STAGE ONE

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Working Harder

Have an inability to switch off

Stage Two

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Neglecting Their Needs

Sleep becomes erratic, eating disrupted erratic and lack of social interaction

Stage Three

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Displacement of ConflictsStart to dismiss problems we may feel threatened, panicky and jittery

Stage Four

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Revision of Values

Values are skewed, friends and family dismissed, hobbies seen as irrelevant, work is only focus.

Stage Five

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Denial of Emerging ProblemsIntolerance, perceiving collaborators as stupid, lazy, demanding, or undisciplined, social contacts harder; cynicism, aggression; problems are viewed as caused by time pressure and work, not because of life changes.

Stage Six

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Withdrawal

Social life small or non-existent, need to feel relief from stress, alcohol/drugs.

Stage Seven

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Odd Behavioural Changes

Changes in behaviour obvious, friends and family concerned.

Stage Eight

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Depersonalization

Seeing neither self nor others as valuable, and no longer perceive own needs

Stage Ten

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Inner EmptinessFeeling empty inside and to overcome this, look for activity such as overeating, sex, alcohol, or drugs; activities are often exaggerated

Stage Eleven

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DepressionFeeling lost and unsure, exhausted, future feels bleak and dark.

Step Eleven

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Burnout Syndrome

Can include total mental and physical collapse; time for full medical attention.

Stage Twelve

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