Stress & Burnout - Edmonton

Name: Boost Psychology
Address: 2307 - 90B Street SW, Edmonton, AB, T6X 0P4
Telephone: 780-628-5446

Burnout can occur from a variety of situations including workplace stress, education stress, caregiving stress, and parenting/family stress. There is often significant guilt and shame attached to individuals who are experiencing stress and burnout. People feel that they are inadequate for not being able to handle stressors. Twenty-seven percent of employed Canadians report having extreme levels of stress daily. An additional 46% of Canadians reported moderate stress on a daily basis (Dankwa, 2017). According to the statistics, workplace stress affects more of us than we think!

Stress & Burnout Therapy – Edmonton
Registered Psychologists
South Edmonton Burnout Counselling
780-628-5446
2307 – 90B Street SW Edmonton
click for directions
*just off of Ellerslie Road on 91 St. – Located in Summerside
Book an Appointment Online

edmonton stress and burnout - boost psychology

People with burnout tend to work longer hours while accomplishing less work. This further aggravates the burnout cycle and accompanying feelings of shame. The video below, done by CBC News does a great job outlining the current hustle culture. Its common to have our identities tied what we do and what we produce. This mentality no longer works in todays knowledge-based economies and instead creates the perfect storm for burnout to take hold.

It’s not just workplace stress that can cause feelings of burnout. An overload of any obligation can influence feelings of burnout. Caregiver burnout is a common issue, where caregivers can become worn down and experience compassion fatigue. In order to prevent caregiver burnout, its critical to care for yourself. This includes taking breaks, having respite, establishing and maintaining boundaries, and including other wellness activities such as exercise, eating well, and socialization.

Stress & Burnout Therapy – Edmonton
Registered Psychologists
South Edmonton Burnout Counselling
780-628-5446
2307 – 90B Street SW Edmonton
click for Directions
*just off of Ellerslie Road on 91 St. – Located in Summerside
Book an Appointment Online

Burnout is a state of chronic stress. General adaptation syndrome does a good job of explaining what happens to the body when we experience stress. In the first phase, alarm reaction a distress signal is sent to the brain where it prompts the release of adrenaline and cortisol to help the individual fight or flee from the stress. The next phase, resistance, is where the body tries to return to normal after the alarm reaction where cortisol was released. If the stress continues, the body stays in a state of alert, and cortisol and adrenaline continue to be released. The last phase, exhaustion is where the body can no longer fight the stress and a person will start to experience fatigue, depression, anxiety, reduced coping, illness, infection, and physical manifestations of stress.

It’s important to note that the symptoms of burnout are unlikely to go away on their own. Burnout requires action in some form to help the individual return to a state of normalcy. Attending therapy assists people with giving themselves permission to rest and take care of themselves. It’s common to hear: “If I push harder, I can get through the burnout.” This is not true, and this line of thinking is what allows burnout to develop in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know if I have burnout?

Burnout is not a condition listed in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). When people come to the clinic with burnout, we often see them presenting with symptoms of depression, anxiety, extreme fatigue, and low self-worth. Through the clinical process, your therapist will explore the contributing factors for your symptoms. The treatment for burnout and depression is similar, with burnout requiring more rest.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment for burnout varies for everyone. Depending on the modality used and the circumstances of the individual, treatment can take anywhere from 4 – 15+ sessions. It’s common for people experiencing extreme burnout to take time off of work. When you meet with your psychologist, they can provide you with a treatment estimate based on your assessment.

Will I get better?

People often find that once they take the time to rest and focus on setting boundaries and removing themselves from the production culture, they have a significant reduction in symptoms. People often regain their creativity and find that their values regarding the work shift.

How are depression and burnout different?

Burnout and depression share several symptoms such as fatigue, lack of motivation, feelings of cynicism, and guilt. The main difference is the cause of the symptoms. If symptoms can be resolved after a reduction in stress, it’s more likely to be burnout. If the symptoms stand on their own, it’s more likely to be depression. It’s important to note that depression can be brought on by stress. It’s a complicated relationship between burnout and stress.

How do you treat burnout?

First, rest and reset and begin to regularly engage in mindfulness. Second, set boundaries around your capacity and emotional abilities.

Burnout is often the result of stressors outweighing our ability to cope. Once your body and nervous system have been able to rest and you are no longer in chronic fight/flight/freeze, it is often beneficial to explore the environmental contributors to your burn out.

What does burnout feel like mentally?

Not enough. The overwhelming and persistent descriptor is the feeling of ‘not enough’. Clients report feeling that there is never enough energy, time, capacity, motivation, purpose, etc. This is often in contrast to depression reporting where clients state that they feel as though everything is ‘too much’.

What are the first symptoms of burnout?

Burnout is a combination of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or cynicism, and a lack of feeling productive or efficient in your work. Often, emotional exhaustion is the first symptom, leading to irritability, avoidance, and depression-like symptoms.

Am I experiencing burnout?

If you are feeling like everything is exhausting and you have no emotional bandwidth left, you are experiencing brain fog, difficulty concentrating, exhaustion that is not relieved through rest, feel disconnected from those you love, and a loss of motivation, you may be experiencing burnout. It is important to talk with a mental health professional and get the support you need to navigate this difficult time.

In addition to burnout treatment, Boost Psychology provides treatment for a variety of issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, stress, life transitions, relationship difficulties, etc. Our therapists have training in various evidence-based modalities. Your psychologist will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan. We believe it is key to listen to you to get a thorough understanding of what’s going on in your life. This is an important step before working toward the resolution of the problem. Give our office a call today to discuss your options and work toward creating a healthier you.

Author: Kirsten Klemm