Burnout is a chronic condition caused by excessive exposure to stress that creates physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Recognized as an occupational phenomenon by the World Health Organization, burnout can significantly impact your ability to function as you normally would. There have been many different frameworks that attempt to explore how burnout develops and how you can spot the signs of burnout early.
One of the more popular frameworks to view the progression of burnout are the 12 stages of burnout that will be explored in detail below. Understanding these stages can help you recognize when stress levels have become unhealthy and when intervention may become necessary.
Burnout is a chronic condition that develops over a long period of time. As such, you may start to notice changes in your behavior and perspectives as burnout progresses. Here’s an outline of the stages, with more details on each later:
Burnout was first described in 1974 by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger whilst researching the effects working in a free clinic for addiction was having on his colleagues.
He described a state of emotional and physical exhaustion, of which healthcare workers were particularly vulnerable due to the emotionally taxing and demanding nature of their work. However, as the concept of burnout grew, it was eventually applied to other trades and fields of work where workplace stress has become increasingly common.
Freudenberger built on his ideas and in collaboration with Gail North developed the 12 stage model of burnout as described below.
In 1981 psychologist Christina Maslach developed her own Maslach Burnout Inventory in order to objectively and clinically assess levels of burnout in individuals. Her ongoing work and research into the field advanced our current understanding of burnout and its impact on professional individuals.
This includes her development of her own six stages of burnout. Since its initial description many organizations and researchers have continued to build on these founding works, as evidenced in the World Health Organization’s recognition of burnout as a mental health condition.
This describes a seemingly positive drive to perform well at work. While high achievers most often display this trait, any person who feels an excessive drive to perform well can be vulnerable to experiencing a compulsive sense of ambition. At this stage, you may still feel optimism and can focus more easily on tasks, but the intensity is unsustainable over time.
This can manifest through working extra or unpaid time, taking on more tasks than you can deliver on, answering emails on the weekends, or not taking your vacation. You push yourself to do more, increase your productivity and be available as much as possible. Your workload gradually increases as you take on more responsibilities.
In order to meet the self-imposed demands of the above conditions, you may start to neglect needs such as eating, sleeping, exercising, time with family or friends and more. Your personal needs come second, or even third, to your work. This neglect can lead to early physical symptoms like increased fatigue and decreased immunity.
You start to avoid acknowledging the burnout, whilst beginning to recognize that you’re becoming overwhelmed. Instead of looking internally to see what you could do differently or considering what changes could be made, you become anxious and threatened. You may start to experience more noticeable mental and physical symptoms but dismiss them as temporary.
At this stage, you may change or alter your personal values in order to better meet your work obligations and ambitions. Your work and success becomes your only focus and what is important to you. You may begin to withdraw from previously enjoyable activities and relationships as you fail to prioritize anything outside of work.
You start to become frustrated, intolerant, and aggressive towards others in your workplace, having little patience for perceived failures. The focus of ‘blame’ is on work, with time becoming increasingly rare and precious. Behavioral changes become more apparent to others around you, though you may still deny there’s an issue.
You pull away from family and friends, focusing increasingly on work and isolating yourself from others. This can be a dangerous stage as substance based escapes such as alcohol and drugs may become increasingly tempting. Workplace stress continues to mount as your support system diminishes.
At this point family and friends may start to notice and become increasingly concerned regarding personality changes they observe in you. You may even start to fail to adhere to personal responsibilities. Your behavioral changes become obvious to those around you, yet you may insist nothing is wrong.
You start to detach from yourself and from others on an emotional level. You fail to see yourself or your relationships as valuable and start to make it through each day on ‘autopilot’. This disconnection serves as a coping mechanism but further isolates you from potential support.
You begin to feel increasingly empty inside, with all sense of motivation, ambition, or drive gone. At this stage, individuals are very vulnerable to the use of addictive behaviors or substances in order to cope with the stress, or even simply to ‘feel something’. Physical symptoms typically worsen, and your productivity continues to decline.
Here this term is used colloquially as opposed to a clinical form of depression (though this may follow if you do not seek professional help). You may feel completely exhausted emotionally, mentally, and physically. There is a complete lack of enthusiasm or passion for life. At this stage, you may become unable to function as you normally would in many aspects of life.
At this stage, you are at risk of complete physical and mental breakdown. Medical attention is immediately required, and many find that they now need to take an extended leave from their work in order to adequately recover. Clinic Les Alpes is one such facility that can offer treatment at this stage. If you, or a loved one, are approaching this stage, please reach out for more information.
The five stages of burnout according to other models
While the 12-stage model provides a detailed progression, it’s worth noting that other frameworks exist. Maslach developed a six-stage model, and the World Health Organization describes burnout through four key signals:
Maslach’s five stages of burnout include:
These alternative models focus on similar progressions but condense the stages into broader categories. All recognize burnout as a gradual process that develops through identifiable phases as symptoms of burnout intensify.
It’s essential when avoiding burnout syndrome to prioritize self-care, work-life balance, and interpersonal relationships. Some of the ways you can avoid or help mitigate burnout include:
For individuals struggling with addiction, the progression through the stages of burnout may become particularly problematic. The increased stress levels and emotional depletion can trigger or worsen substance use as a coping mechanism. Simultaneously, substances may temporarily mask symptoms of burnout, allowing the condition to progress unnoticed until reaching critical stages.
If you’re experiencing both burnout and addiction issues, seeking comprehensive treatment that addresses both conditions is essential. Specialized treatment centers like Clinic Les Alpes provide integrated care that can help you recover from both challenges simultaneously.
The 12 stages of burnout outline how a seemingly well-intentioned person can gradually slide into a condition of chronic stress and emotional, physical, and psychological distress. It’s important to stay mindful of ourselves and our loved ones, and to make attempts to intervene early to ensure that one does not reach the final stages of burnout.
At any one of the 12 stages of burnout, it’s highly encouraged to seek professional help to protect yourself and ensure you stay on a pathway of wellbeing and self-care. Remember that burnout is not a sign of weakness or failure, but rather a response to prolonged stress that can affect anyone. With proper support and interventions, recovery is possible, and you can regain your energy, enthusiasm, and effectiveness.
The final stage of burnout in all models and frameworks describes a stage where the chronic stress has reached a critical state in terms of overwhelming the individual’s global capacity for coping. It is at this stage where people start to experience physical and psychological breakdowns that may be so severe as to mimic strokes, manic episodes, or heart attacks. At this stage it is crucial to stop exposure to the source of stress (usually work) for a prolonged period of time in order to re-establish balance and holistic wellbeing.
Signs of burnout include persistent fatigue, increased cynicism, reduced productivity, withdrawal from social activities, and various physical symptoms. If you find yourself progressing through several of the stages described above, you may be experiencing burnout. Professional assessment can provide a clearer diagnosis.
Yes, untreated burnout may contribute to various health conditions including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and vulnerability to illnesses due to weakened immunity.
