Stages of Burnout

There are many models out there. Here are a few.

12 stages of Burnout

Created by Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North. Most commonly used.

1.Compulsion to Prove Oneself: Feeling the need to constantly demonstrate worth and to prove oneself.

2.Working Harder: Becoming overly dedicated to work. Taking on too much and overworking.

3. Neglecting Needs: Ignoring personal needs and health. Reducing social interactions.

4. Avoiding Conflicts: Stress builds up. Avoiding conflicts or blaming others for stress.

5. Revision of Values: Prioritizing work over personal relationships. Values and moral compass are no longer based on what is important to you.

6. Denial of Emerging Problems: Ignoring or denying signs of stress and burnout. Increased frustrations, irritability, aggression and impatience.

7. Withdrawal: Isolating oneself from others. Increased detachment from support circle

8. Behavioural Changes: Acting out of character due to stress such as change in eating habits, binge TV, being late, being unproductive, forgetting important dates, etc.

9. Depersonalization: Developing a cynical attitude towards work. Detached from work and/or personal life. Life starts to feel meaningless and like a chore.

10. Inner Emptiness: Feeling a lack of fulfillment. Feeling empty and numb. Disconnected from own feelings. No motivation or ambition.

11. Depression: Experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness and worthlessness. Symptoms are now severe.

12. Burnout Syndrome/Collapse:  Feeling completely overwhelmed and unable to cope with stress. Risk of physical collapse or mental breakdown. This is the nervous system last resort forcing you to take an extended leave or make drastic changes in order to recover. Rest is needed. Symptoms can be migraines, digestive issues, chronic pain, muscle pain, frequently ill, struggling to maintenance relationships.

5 stages of Burnout

This is the simplified version of the 12 stages

1. Honeymoon Phase - High energy, enthusiasm for work, optimistic, high productivity, excitement, and willingness to take on extra tasks.

2. Onset of Stress - Increased stress and decreased optimism. Increased irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Starting to notice mental and physical signs.

3. Chronic Stress - Persistent stress and emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and withdrawal from social interactions. Anger, lashing out, depression, physical illness increase, feeling powerless

4. Burnout Crisis - Reached your limit. Coping becomes difficult. Obsessing about frustrations at work. Develop escapist mentality. Physical symptoms become intense. Feelings of hopelessness, numb, self doubt, detachment, and significant impairment in daily functioning.

5. Habitual Burnout - Chronic condition affecting overall well-being. Losing all sense of original motivation and optimism and burnout becomes new personality. Burnout become embedded in your life and it is more difficult than ever to get out of. You may even stop working just so that you can recover. Chronic fatigue, persistent feelings of emptiness, and potential risk of depression.

4 stages of Burnout

Created by Stefanie Weimer and Maureen Pöll

1. Exhaustion - This is the warning sign. Physical, mental, and emotional fatigue sets in. Individual still pushing themselves even if work is starting to be overwhelming. Over committed, difficulty shutting off.

2. Doubt and Shame - Imposter syndrome begins to take hold. characterized by self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Second guessing, feeling overwhelmed and feeling like your failing. Trying to hid it from others. Irritability, procrastination.

3. Cynicism and Detachment - Goes from exhaustion to cynicism and detachment. leading to a loss of interest and emotional distance from work. Fatigue, anxiety, loneliness, Cynicism, withdraw, emotional outburst, and self doubt.

4. Breaking Point and Crisis - Peaks and becomes severe. Feeling helplessness and despair. Individuals may experience a significant decline in mental health and overall functioning. Physical health deteriorates. Depression, hopelessness, absenteeism, emotional breakdown and isolation.

Just like many other models it is not linear. Everyone is different, has different situations and handles situations differently. For some they will go through all the steps, other will skip steps and others will have steps that are not even mentioned.