Sunday, June 24, 2001		Stressbusters

TOO much work or frequent frustration at work can lead to a syndrome of physical and emotional exhaustion. This syndrome is called burnout.

Burnout is an adverse work stress reaction with: Psychological, psycho-physiological and behavioural components.

Its major symptoms are:

• Internal changes: Emotional exhaustion; loss of self-esteem; depression, frustration; and a "trapped" feeling.

• Increased physical complaints: Fatigue; irritability; muscle tension; stomach upset and susceptibility to illness.

• Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from colleagues; peers, family members.

• Self medication: Increased use of alcohol, and tranquilisers and other mood-altering drugs.

• Skipping rest and food breaks: Continually having no time for coffee or lunch breaks to restore stamina.

• Changed job performance: Increased absenteeism; tardiness; use of sick leave and decreased efficiency or productivity.

The stress associated with burnout are similar to other occupational stressors:

• Too much to do in too little a time (Role overload),

• Not being specifically trained for many of the tasks (Role insufficiency),

• Having to answer to too many different demands (Role conflict). and

• Not being clear on all that is expected (Role ambiguity).

• When the denigration of the role is added to these stressors the load becomes too much to bear and illness and disease occurs.