You are on page 1of 15

12 Stages of Burnout

Marie Tolman
Happiness & Resilience Coach
Expert by Experience and Profession

1
12 STAGES OF BURNOUT
What it means to burnout

Theres no clear cut definition of what burnout is but the term first
appeared in the 1970s from the psychologist Herbert Freudenberger.
Freudgenberger and his colleague Gail North identified 12 stages that
lead up to burnout

These twelve stages dont necessarily have to happen in order. Some


people experience them all, others only experience some of them.

The physiological symptoms of burnout are caused by our fight or flight


response. Whether we like it or not, this response can be triggered by
common work stressors (like trying to meet deadlines or finish
projects).
2
THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONCE

3
The Compulsion to Prove Oneself

Demonstrating worth obsessively; tends to


hit the best employees, those with
enthusiasm who accept responsibility readily

STAGE ONE
4
Working Harder

Have an inability to switch off

Stage Two
5
Neglecting Their Needs

Sleep becomes erratic, eating disrupted


erratic and lack of social interaction

Stage Three
6
Displacement of Conflicts
Start to dismiss problems we may feel
threatened, panicky and jittery

Stage Four 7
Revision of Values

Values are skewed, friends and family


dismissed, hobbies seen as irrelevant, work
is only focus.

Stage Five
8
Denial of Emerging Problems
Intolerance, perceiving collaborators as
stupid, lazy, demanding, or undisciplined,
social contacts harder; cynicism,
aggression; problems are viewed as caused
by time pressure and work, not because of
life changes.

Stage Six
9
Withdrawal

Social life small or non-existent, need to feel


relief from stress, alcohol/drugs.

Stage Seven
10
Odd Behavioural Changes

Changes in behaviour obvious, friends and


family concerned.

Stage Eight

11
Depersonalization

Seeing neither self nor others as valuable,


and no longer perceive own needs

Stage Ten

12
Inner Emptiness
Feeling empty inside and to overcome
this, look for activity such as overeating,
sex, alcohol, or drugs; activities are often
exaggerated

Stage Eleven

13
Depression
Feeling lost and unsure, exhausted,
future feels bleak and dark.

Step Eleven

14
Burnout Syndrome

Can include total mental and physical


collapse; time for full medical attention.

Stage Twelve

15

You might also like