Stress & Burnout

Stress is a natural physical, mental and emotional reaction to the challenges and demands of life. In mild to moderate doses, it can be motivating. However, excessive stress can harm your health and impede well-being. Common symptoms of excessive stress include:

 

• Feeling nervous or on edge
• Feeling overwhelmed or fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating or feeling motivated
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Changes in sex drive
• Changes in appetite
• Stomach aches
• Chronic headaches
• Muscle tension or illness
• Feeling irritable, restless or depressed
• Substances abuse

Burnout is emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Burnout often occurs gradually, so you may not notice you’re on the road to burnout until you find yourself feeling apathetic, unmotivated, listless, or even depressed. You may find you don’t care about things or people as much as you have in the past.

Stress and burnout can affect anyone. Following a thorough assessment, your doctor will design a plan tailored just for you. Your stress reduction program will likely incorporate multiple treatment approaches. These may include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical-behavior therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

Reduction in stress can be experienced in just a few sessions, although your provider will be available as long as needed to help you reach your goals.

Prolonged stress and burnout can keep you from feeling happy, healthy, fulfilled, and connected with those you love. It can also put you at increased risk for numerous emotional and physical health problems, such as: depression, insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal issues and high blood pressure.