Studies have identified three categories of burnout, all of which involve exhaustion and fatigue but have differences in terms of engagement and response to work situations.

The three categories are as follows:

  • worn out – disengaged, loss of interest, loss of control
  • underchallenged – bored and unmotivated, craving engagement
  • frenetic – high performing, ambitious, overloaded, overwhelmed

Frenetic burnout is the type that is most familiarly associated with the concept of burnout, connected to a lifestyle of overwork and stress. While frenetic burnout is becoming more common, knowing and recognising the risk factors can help to mitigate or avoid its destructive effects.

WHAT IS FRENETIC BURNOUT?

Frenetic burnout is associated with workaholism, and is also known as overload burnout. Sufferers are generally individuals who are hardworking and ambitious. Although they are good performers, they overload themselves with work, leading to exhaustion and burnout.

Researchers have confirmed a link between the occurrence of frenetic burnout and the number of hours worked per week. A 2011 study in Spain found that workers who put in more than 40 hours per week were at the greatest risk of this form of burnout.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FRENETIC BURNOUT?

The following are common symptoms of frenetic burnout:

  • Working long hours and experiencing high levels of stress
  • Extremely involved and ambitious
  • Working longer and harder than most peers
  • Working increasingly harder until reaching a point of exhaustion
  • Overidentifying oneself with one’s occupation and with the results achieved
  • Emotional venting, short temper
  • Difficulty in switching off and relaxing
  • Lack of interest in social activities and spending time with others
  • Sacrificing health and personal lives are for the job
  • Neglecting one’s own needs to fulfil work demands
  • Neglecting relationships with friends and family
  • Feeling detachment from people and things that were previously regarded as important
  • Feeling that there is always too much to do
  • Experiencing difficulties with concentrating
  • Feelings of guilt

Burnout can lead to increased stress hormones, heart disease, depression and other mental health issues.

HOW COMMON IS FRENETIC BURNOUT?

Economic and social pressures and constant connection to technology all lead to stress-related conditions such as burnout.

While concrete statistics do not exist, it is acknowledged that there has been a rise in burnout around the world due to factors such as changes in the workplace, job insecurity, and increased workloads.

Some countries report that one in seven employees experience burnout symptoms. It is foreseen that stress-related diseases will in future be the greatest challenge to the world’s health system.

Even though it is becoming more common, there is still a certain amount of stigma attached to frenetic burnout at a societal level. Employees feel pressure to perform to a high level and admitting to burnout suggests a failure to cope within the organisational structures that exist. This is part of the reason that the degree of frenetic burnout is difficult to quantify; however, reports of large numbers of disengaged employees and increased requests for psychological assistance are indicators of the increase in this condition at a global level.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FRENETIC BURNOUT?

Stress is a major contributor to frenetic burnout.

Some of the reasons that individual stress levels are high include:

  • Need to adjust to constantly changing technologies
  • More isolation from other people as more work is done online
  • Less possibility of ‘escape’ as technology keeps workers constantly connected to their jobs

The level of stimulation at work affects levels of stress, with excessive stimulation leads to high stress levels. This high degree of stress when combined with extremely long hours will tend to result in frenetic burnout.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR FRENETIC BURNOUT

At Brain Training Australia we use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Neurofeedback Brain Training to help our clients suffering from Frenetic Burnout.

Let us help you. Here is how to get started.

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Funding options available Private Health, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Medicare, Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), to cover part of, if not all of your Brain Training Program with us (see our Fees Page).