Burnouts: how to recognise and treat them

What is a burnout? 

Sometimes life can get more difficult and heavier. This could be the result of an accumulation of problems, a traumatic life experience, or by receiving less support from your social circle. When daily life starts to require more of a person’s energy than what they can take at that time, it can cause a burnout. A burnout could feel like losing overview of the situation and losing grip on your life. As a result of this, you could experience specific symptoms and be unable to do your daily tasks and activities. If this lasts for more than six months and the main symptom is fatigue, it is called a burnout. 

Symptoms of a burnout

A burnout is diagnosed if a person is experiencing the following three symptoms for a duration of at least six months:

    1. Symptoms related to stress:
      • Physical and mental fatigue
      • Difficulty focusing
      • Insomnia
      • Irritability 
      • Crying easily 
      • Overthinking

    2. Feeling powerless or feeling like you are losing control over your life and situations

    3. Being unable to do your daily activities and tasks, for example at work, school or home


Other symptoms may include physical ones, like headaches, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations or abdominal symptoms.

What causes a burnout?

Usually a burnout is caused by being under stress for a longer period of time, where a person is eventually unable to cope with all this stress. Other causes for a burnout may include:

  • Wanting (to do) too much at once
  • Being overworked for a longer period of time
  • Specific situations, like debts or problems in your relationship or at work
  • Not receiving enough support from your friends and family 
  • Life events (both good and bad), such as moving places, a new job, getting married, illness of a loved one

Increased risk for a burnout

Anyone can suffer from a burnout, however some people have a higher risk. The chances of getting a burnout increase when a person:

  • Has as suffered from a burnout before
  • Has been ill a lot or experienced bad health in the past year(s)
  • Does not know how to manage specific situations or whom to ask for help
  • Does not have a social circle or does not receive a lot of support
  • Avoids solving problems, always wants to do good and is unable to say no 


How to recover from a burnout?

Try to continue with your daily routine and activities. The chances for recovery are the most optimal if one remains active. 

It usually takes three months to a year to recover from a burnout. 

There are three main stages of burnout recovery: 

– Stage 1: Understanding and acceptance 

Once you understand and accept what is happening, you will be able to relax eventually and take the necessary steps to recover. Try to proceed with your daily activities as much as feels manageable. However, sometimes it may be better to take some time off from work or school in order to rest. 

– Stage 2: Assessing the problems and thinking of solutions

Assessment of the problems that are causing the (extra) stress is very important. How are you dealing with these problems? Are there solutions to these problems? Solution oriented thinking could lead to better management of these problems (in the future). 

– Stage 3: Making gradual changes and problem solving

Slowly trying to solve problems and making small changes in your life will eventually lead to a person being able to start doing more activities and getting control back over their life.

Treatment of a burnout

Contacting your GP could be the first step in order to understand your burnout and eventually recover from it. They could refer you to a psychologist to support you. Usually the treatment is focused on how to cope with and manage stress. Medication does not help to recover from a burnout more quickly. 

Sometimes a burnout is related to your work situation. In that case it may be helpful to talk to your employer about this. In the Netherlands, (most) companies have a company doctor that will be asked to guide you during your recovery.


Illustration by Shanta Jethoe