Burnout: Causes, Symptoms & How to Prevent Worker Exhaustion

A new book, Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint, released this month, addresses a growing crisis: approximately two-thirds of workers globally are experiencing burnout, according to recent studies.

The term “burnout” was first coined in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger to describe a state of physical and mental exhaustion among those in the workforce. Decades later, the World Health Organization formally recognized burnout not as a medical condition, but as an “occupational phenomenon,” characterized by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, and reduced professional efficacy.

The rise in burnout is linked to overwork and chronic stress, which can contribute to a range of health problems, including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and increased stroke risk. Research highlighted by the World Psychiatric Association in 2016 indicates that the experience of burnout is often linked to an imbalance between function demands and an individual’s resources.

Shaina Siber, author of the new book, argues that conventional self-care methods – such as increased exercise, sleep, meditation, or vacations – are insufficient to address the root causes of burnout. “We cannot rely on ‘good vibes only’ for finding our way out of burnout,” Siber writes. “There aren’t enough green juices, yoga classes, or massages in the world to self-care burnout into submission.”

The research also notes that burnout is particularly prevalent in human service occupations, and especially within healthcare. Still, the experience of burnout for mental health professionals can be unique, as they often deal with difficult or violent clients. The 2016 research suggests a need to better understand the links between burnout and mental illness in these professions.

Current debate exists regarding the definition of burnout, with some attempting to redefine it simply as exhaustion. The World Psychiatric Association’s research points to a relative lack of evaluative research on interventions designed to treat or prevent burnout, highlighting a gap in the field.

From longer work hours to increased demands at home, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced new stressors to nearly every domain of life, exacerbating existing pressures and contributing to the current high levels of burnout.