The IAA One Minute Blog

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon. The agency now includes burnout in its International Classification of Diseases Handbook, which guides medical providers in diagnosing diseases. 

Diagnosing Burnout

WHO describes burnout as a syndrome resulting from “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”  According to WHO, doctors can issue a diagnosis of burnout if a patient exhibits three symptoms:

1. Feeling depleted of energy or exhausted.
2. Feeling mentally distanced from or cynical about one’s job.
3. Problems getting one’s job done successfully.

Burnout is to be used specifically in the occupational context and it should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.

Before making the call, doctors should first rule out adjustment disorder as well as anxiety and mood disorders.

Signs of Burnout

Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger is credited with inaugurating the formal study of the state of burnout with a scientific article published in 1974. The telltale signs of burnout are:

• Detachment
• Insomnia
• Lack of focus
• Negative feelings
• Physical and emotional fatigue

One in five highly engaged employees is at risk for burnout.

Tips to avoiding burnout:

1. Sleep: Insomnia is one of the symptoms of burnout. When you don’t sleep, your brain doesn’t function at its prime. Getting too little sleep also has serious consequences, including lack of judgment, increased likelihood of car accidents and development of chronic diseases like cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and depression. Science has proven that adults need seven to nine hours of sleep nightly to function optimally.
2. Exercise: Regular exercise reduces levels of stress, improves self-confidence, prevents cognitive decline, increases productivity, and improves memory.
3. Laugh: Laughing relieves stress and has many positive short-term and long-term effects.
4. Socialize: Spending time with people outside of work gives you much needed emotional fulfillment. Making work your entire life will leave you burned out and emotionally detached.
5. Start saying no: Choose what is most important to you and what is most necessary to your work.

In 2018, a Gallup Survey found nearly one in four employees feels burned out always or often.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America wants you to live a healthy and well balanced life.Before you start to suffer from symptoms of burnout, take the time to evaluate if the choices you are making at work are what is best for your overall health.IAA knows that a good work /life balance is what is best for everyone.

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