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A 26-year-old employee of multinational consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune died due to “excessive workload”, her mother has claimed. Anna Sebastian Perayil had joined EY as a chartered accountant just four months before she died due to work pressure, her mother Anitha Augustine said in a letter.
This tragic incident highlights a growing concern in the modern workplace: chronic burnout. Do you ever feel like your to-do list never ends, no matter how hard you work? Do you dread Monday mornings more than ever? If your answer is yes, you may be struggling with chronic burnout, and it’s important to know when it’s time to take action.
Recognizing red flags early
While occasional stress is normal, chronic burnout can be a sign of a toxic workplace. Recognizing red flags early is essential to protect your health and productivity. Some common warning signs are poor communication, unclear job expectations, excessive workload, and lack of recognition.
“High turnover rates and poor work-life balance also contribute to stress at the workplace, leading to burnout. Employees in such an environment often feel overworked and unsupported,” says clinical psychologist Pulkit Sharma.
So why does this happen? The reason may be unclear job expectations. “In a professional setting, burnout is usually triggered by factors such as unclear job expectations, leading to an excessive workload and yet a lack of recognition or support,” explains Sharma.
Chronic Burnout vs. Normal Stress
According to Dr Pooja Anand, Associate Consultant, Gurugram-based Paras Health, “Burnout manifests through emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Unlike temporary exhaustion, which can be cured with rest, burnout persists over time and leads to feelings of helplessness and isolation.”
“Burnout occurs when stress becomes chronic and goes beyond a person’s tolerance. This results in a deep feeling of hopelessness and isolation, marked by a lack of motivation, energy, and purpose, which persists even after taking a break,” explains Dr. Sneha Sharma, Psychiatry Consultant at Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi.
What are the early signs of burnout?
Early warning signs of burnout include low enthusiasm for work, persistent exhaustion, and irritability. “This persists over time and leads to feelings of helplessness and detachment from work or personal responsibilities,” Anand explains.
Dr. Santosh Chavan, psychiatrist, Jupiter Hospital, Pune explains, “Physical symptoms of burnout can range from persistent fatigue to sleep disturbances and weight gain.” He adds, “Emotional symptoms such as feeling helpless, irritable or emotionally numb often accompany burnout.”
Dr. Chavan explains that frequently missing work, avoiding social interactions and having trouble concentrating can also be early signs of burnout. He warns, “If you ignore these signs, they can get worse.” Recognizing these symptoms early gives people a chance to take action before burnout becomes severe.
When to seek help?
If burnout begins to affect your daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. “If emotional or physical symptoms persist without an obvious medical cause, or if functioning deteriorates, it’s time to seek help,” advises Dr. Chovan.
Dr. Sharma suggests seeking help when symptoms worsen. “If symptoms of burnout become severe, such as persistent anxiety or a depressed mood that interferes with daily functioning, professional help should be sought.”
Dr Anand also emphasises that it is important to address burnout as early as possible through therapy or workplace adjustments. “Effective interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling and stress management techniques can help,” she adds.
“In more severe cases, it may be necessary to take time off from work or personal responsibilities to recover,” Dr. Anand concludes.
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