It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is one of the industries that has the highest share of workers experiencing job burnouts. An aspiring physician experiencing job burnout can easily turn into someone who just feels the immense weight of their work. Worst of all, job burnouts can lead to even more serious consequences such as crippling diseases, psychological trauma or even death.
While avoiding job burnout completely is difficult, addressing its effects before they get worse is more manageable. In order to act fast, you have to know common signs of job burnout and take the necessary precautions as soon as you see them. Here’s a quick rundown on the most common signs of job burnout.
-
Bad Mood
The medical industry has plenty of stress-causing factors, but with the early onset of job burnout, even those you can normally deal with become much more aggravating. If you feel irritated at the slightest problems, such as adjusting the settings on the thermostat incorrectly, the traffic going to and from work, or even the sight of crowded people in the hallway, you may be experiencing the early stages of burnout.
-
Exhaustion
It’s normal for healthcare professionals to work outside the usual office hours but you may find yourself feeling exhausted even during days where you worked normally. It feels like your body has to exert way more energy than usual to achieve the same tasks. If you find yourself feeling sleepy or weak more often than you should, you should find a way to check if you have a case of burnout.
-
Lack of focus
Irritability and fatigue form a very dangerous combination, especially if you’re in the medical field. Lack of concentration may not seem like much for some jobs, but when focus is required for things like giving an accurate diagnosis, figuring out correct dosages, and even performing delicate operations, addressing the lack of focus should be on the top of your priority list.
-
Depression
Have you ever had that feeling that you’re stuck in a daily grind and that the rewards are not worth the effort you’re putting out? Do you find yourself feeling down because you can’t seem to find time for yourself? Those are some of the most common signs of depression, which, in turn, points to possible job burnout.
-
Health problems
The stress associated with job burnout can have physiological effects on your body. Your immune system might not function as well (especially since the burnout also causes fatigue), making you more vulnerable to common diseases. Seek help if you think your most recent bout of sickness could be another sign of job burnout.
Dealing with Job Burnout
If you see any of the signs mentioned earlier, one of the best things you can do is seek help. Do not hesitate to talk to your supervisor; they would rather have you at peak condition than be out there performing poorly. They can also help you pinpoint what’s causing the burnout and even refer you to a therapist if necessary.
For the most part, dealing with job burnout is a personal matter, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. For example, a simple attitude adjustment could help improve the way you’re coping with the burnout. However, making that adjustment could be easier with the help of friends, colleagues, or even personal mentors. It also goes without saying that steering clear of bad habits in your daily routine (smoking, staying up late, skipping meals or overeating) can make a lot of difference.
Job burnout is real, and accepting it is a big part of winning your personal battle against it. Detecting the signs early on gives you the opportunity to get rid of the problem before it causes significant long-term damage to your body and your medical career.