Combatting Burnout and How It Is Caused

Have you ever experienced burnout before? You know the feeling when you are emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted or drained. Or when you experience feelings of emptiness, lack of motivation, or cynicism towards work. Burn out is a term that has been described as an “occupational phenomenon”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although, as a mental health professional, I also see burnout affecting people who are in a position where they are having to care for an ill, disabled, or elderly family member. In addition to being a stay-at-home parent. These are all roles, along with other general life stressors that can also lead to burn out. In this interview I offer a mental health perspective on the causes and effects of burnout.

Although burn out is not categorized as a mental health disorder, it can be a huge contributing factor that can lead into the development of a mental health disorder.