Burnout Treatment in Switzerland

What is Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion?

The term “burnout” alludes to an analogy between a person and an electric machine that “burns out” its circuit board when overloaded. In reality, a burnout is a type of nervous breakdown in reaction to an extreme emotional situation for example people experiencing burnout after being overworked at a job or feel overwhelmed from a social, relationship or familial point of view.

The adaptive capacities of the person with burnout syndrome decrease like a candle consuming the last of its wax, and they have no more energy to continue. Biologically, neurochemistry, notably serotonin levels, can be perturbed, and the brain just doesn’t function as efficiently.

For the general public the term “Burnout” is a euphemism for what in psychiatry is usually called “major depression” or “clinical depression”. A burnout can be something less severe, simply feeling emotionally exhausted, for which the individual only needs more rest or a vacation to recuperate, relieve stress and recover from burnout; however, it can also be a much more serious affair, with significant and long-term consequences for the individual’s mental and physical health and that needs to be treated and followed up very closely.

Burnout Symptoms

The mental and physical symptoms of burnout syndrome are the following:

• Extreme sadness
• Low self-esteem
• Muscle tension
• Rumination of dark thoughts or even suicidal thoughts
• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Decrease or lack of physical and emotional energy
• Loss of meaning in life
• Effects on libido and sexual functions
• Sleep disorder (difficulties falling asleep, waking in the middle of the night or waking very early in the morning)
• Eating dysfunction with either loss of appetite and weight or increase of appetite, mainly for sweets and saturated fatty foods and consequent weight gain.

Migrating pain can occur due to chronic stress and chronic fatigue that can evolve into what rheumatologists call “fibromyalgia”. The patient might suffer from ahedonism, that is a lack of pleasure in doing one’s favorite hobbies or pastimes or doing anything as a matter of fact.

Memory disorder can be present with difficulties concentrating and repetitive absent mindedness and forgetting. Patients can have tremors and cold sweats. Finally, in severe burnout cases, delusions (beliefs in situations contraire to reality) and hallucinations (perceptions in any of the five senses without an actual stimulus) can be present in severe cases of depression or other psychotic phenomena.

This is why it is imperative to see your doctor or a psychiatrist in order to determine if you have a simple burnout syndrome or something more serious.

The Connection Between Burnout and Substance Abuse

Substance abuse, conflictful family and professional situations and chronic psychiatric illness can all lead to burnout. At our private rehabilitation centre, with our multidisciplinary approach towards the mind, body and spirit, we have specialists that can help you on all these levels to rid yourself of burnout and to abstain from the repetitive behaviors that led to that condition whatever they may be. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight but with the right professional team, recovery is possible.

How to Treat Burnout

At Clinic Les Alpes, we offer a comprehensive approach to burnout treatment and improving your overall well-being. Our professional team is equipped to assist you in treating your burnout symptoms. Below are a few key ways we support you throughout this process.

Recognize burnout

Identify the signs of burnout – mental or physical symptoms, such as exhaustion, irritability, decreased productivity, and detachment. It is also important to take steps to identify and address the source of your burnout such as job stress or relationship problems, in order to recover from burnout and restore balance and satisfaction in your life.

Prioritize self-care

Establish a healthy routine that includes regular exercise, a balanced healthy diet, and enough sleep for your daily recovery

Set boundaries

Limit your work hours while maintaining work performance and establish a clear separation between work and personal life to avoid over-commitment.

Take breaks

Learn time management to be able to schedule regular breaks throughout the day and use vacation time to reduce stress, recharge and recover.

Delegate tasks

Share responsibilities with others to reduce workload, avoid becoming overwhelmed and achieve work-life balance.

Seek social support

Connect with friends, family, and colleagues to discuss your feelings and receive encouragement.

Practice mindfulness

Incorporate mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, stress management and increase self-awareness.

Reevaluate goals

Reflect on your personal and professional goals and make adjustments if necessary to prevent burnout in the future.

Limit exposure to stressors

Identify and minimize contact with situations or people that contribute to your stress, self-doubt and causes of burnout.

Seek professional help

Consult a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor, for guidance and support in managing burnout.

Our Burnout Treatment at Clinic Les Alpes

Whether you need time away from the consistent stress of your day-to-day life or your burnout has led you to start utilizing substances to get by, our treatment approaches can address the underlying issues at hand and provide you with the tools you need to get back on track.

We provide a range of treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and mindfulness approaches. All our services are provided in a safe, supportive and luxurious environment where confidentiality is respected. Contact us today to start your burnout recovery.