Burnout, explains clinical psychologist, Cecile Gerick, is more than just being tired. "In most cases of burnout the body manifests some or other disease because the mind has been overwhelmed and stressed for a long period of time. This stress build up can happen over months or sometimes even years and the results are feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. Burnout is a total physical, mental and emotional energy drainer."

Pretoria-based clinical and consulting psychologist, Lerato Mabenge, says when you find that your usual stress coping mechanisms are no longer meeting the demands of your daily life, it is a sign that you are depleted and are at high risk of burning out.

Exhaustion vs burnout
We are all likely to suffer from exhaustion at some point in our lives. But Gerick says, unlike burnout, exhaustion is a physical condition that inadvertently impacts your mental state of mind. "Most driven people suffer from exhaustion because they want to do more than what the body is capable of. In most cases exhaustion is caused by factors such as long working hours, being up at night with a sick child or having an emotionally draining argument. In such instances when the person has enough rest and sleep, preferably over a whole weekend, their energy levels are restored to normal."

Burnout on the other hand is more debilitating and can trigger volatile behaviour. "The main symptom of burnout is constant and unabated fatigue but it is coupled with feelings of worthlessness, lack of acknowledgement at work or at home, anxiety and generally being overwhelmed by life's challenges," explains Gerick.

Burnout candidates
While just about anybody who feels like they're carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders can suffer from burnout, there are some people who are more prone to it. Mabenge says healthcare workers and police officers who have intense and emotionally charged working environments are very susceptible to burnout because of the continually stressful nature of their work. Gerick says in her experience burnout patients are most frequently people with an A-type personality: ambitious, driven, strive too much for perfection and expect everything to be done their way. These personality types she says are more susceptible to burnout because they often feel disappointment that they are not rewarded for their efforts.

Treatment
There is no quick fix when it comes to burnout and treatment is often a multi-pronged approach that involves serious lifestyle changes, such as exercising, changing your diet and intense therapy or counselling. "It is important to get psychological help to enable the brain to form new neurological paths. This adjustment will bring about a different response to the way the person handles situations," says Gerick. Burnout patients, she says, must learn to become pro-active instead of reactive, which results in impulsive behaviour towards challenges and stress that will lead them right back down the burnout route.

Positive self-talk and a positive support structure is an important part of the healing process. It is also important for people in recovery to get fresh air and exercise, and find time and space to recharge their batteries. Depending on your work and your financial situation, this might involve taking a sabbatical or extended sick leave.

No matter what option you choose, remember there is no timeline to treatment and you must be prepared to make time for your recovery.