General information on burnout

Burnout was conceptualized in 1981 by the psychoanalyst Freudenberger after a study with caregivers.

It is defined as "A depletion of an individual's internal resources, the decrease in his energy, his vitality, his ability to function which result from a sustained effort, deployed by this individual to achieve an unattainable goal, and this , in a professional context.

Burnout should not be confused with overwork or conflict-related fatigue, which many employees complain about in the current context.

The specifics of burnout

People "permeable" to burnout generally have high ideals and are in denial of their own limits. “They swim towards the horizon and of course, when you swim towards the horizon, you drown”. We must therefore help them to get out of this denial.

The curve of Mas

Doctor Sylvie Mas established a curve, with the assistance of Teresa Garcia who herself worked on this subject in Europe, defining the phases of installation of burnout.

In the beginning was stress

The curve clearly shows the difference between negative stress and positive stress and their positioning over time.

An event arises; it is negative stress that develops as an immediate reaction.  

Then, the logics of avoidance, control, beliefs or a mix of the three are implemented by the person concerned as attempts at solutions. This should constitute an alert for the doctor.

Then, the stress rises and an appropriate sadness sets in. We then enter a period of resistance that can last 2 years during which we have the impression that everything is going well.

After this period, the stress becomes negative again; Symptoms then appear for which the person will consult: sleep problems, bowel problems, lack of concentration, sexuality, loss of taste and senses.

Adaptation is still possible and the doctor must be particularly alert at this time because these symptoms are only the tip of the iceberg.

If the coping strategy proves ineffective, there is a gradual loss of control and an intensification of the symptoms described above.

Then comes the phase of physical and psychological exhaustion, anesthesia of emotions, threatened job, loss of support……

This is a dangerous situation that can lead to what the Japanese call Karöishi (sudden death) and Tako-tsubo (fatal heart problem). 

The person is completely “flat”. But she will regain her strength and enter a phase of overcompensation because there is an "urgent need" for her. This is what happened to Michael Jackson's doctor, for example.

We, Cabinet Lact, are therefore in a strategic intervention and we say in essence: “You are right to want to hold on but not like that”.