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The Max Eberl case: What a psychiatrist says about burnout, causes and consequences

2022-01-29T12:59:08.986Z


He can no longer: After leaving the Bundesliga, manager Max Eberl is given respect for his openness. What does it mean when you lose your job as an anchor? A psychiatrist provides answers.


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Photo: Thomas Trutschel/photothek.de / imago images/photothek

SPIEGEL:

Mr. Frodl, what were your thoughts when you saw Max Eberl's press conference yesterday?

Thomas Frodl:

I was primarily impressed by Mr. Eberl's personal strength and his openness.

That's the right way: We need more honesty and education about overwork in the workplace and the psychological and mental problems that can go hand in hand with it.

SPIEGEL:

In your opinion, has there been more openness to talking about mental stress in recent years?

Frodl:

Also because of the pandemic, yes.

It takes away a lot of our valves to compensate for a demanding job.

Be it travel, sports or social activities.

All of these coping strategies are extremely important to us.

Precisely because these outlets are missing, talking about mental stress has become more important.

SPIEGEL:

At the press conference, Max Eberl also spoke openly about the fact that he is now leaving behind something that has had a significant impact on his life over the past few decades.

Frodl:

One hundred percent identification with something is a big risk factor for getting exhausted.

Especially when social contacts suffer as a result.

It becomes particularly difficult when there is a headwind and dissatisfaction sets in.

Companies also have to adapt much more intensively to the needs of their employees.

Mental stress has been one of the most common causes of early retirement for years.

This shows how important it is to pay even more attention to the needs of employees.

"Perfectionism is a major contributor to psychological stress."

SPIEGEL:

Do we still have room for improvement in Germany?

Frodl:

Yes, clearly.

More research is needed to develop more targeted programs.

The European Union is currently running tenders that give hope that something will change in the coming years.

SPIEGEL:

Max Eberl was a player and official at Borussia Mönchengladbach for 23 years.

Previously active as a professional in Fürth, Bochum and Bayern Munich.

Are you more prone to psychological overload when you turn your passion into a career?

Frodl:

Perfectionism is a major factor in psychological stress.

The tendency towards perfectionism is of course particularly pronounced in personal passions.

Loss of social support and lack of rest breaks promote mental exhaustion.

If we are constantly activated, our body does not put it down so easily.

SPIEGEL:

What aspects of work are then that ultimately make us ill?

Frodl:

The work as such, the social contact associated with it, rarely makes us ill.

It's more the circumstances.

The pressure from outside to create more and more, negative thought patterns that you are pushed into - especially when things are not going so well and you are being criticized for it.

SPIEGEL:

Gladbach is also doing worse this season than in previous years.

To what extent is failure a driver of psychological distress?

Frodl:

It's easier to fall into negative thought patterns, and that plays a big role.

Even if I don't know anything about how things work internally at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

SPIEGEL:

Gladbach is now considered a station in professional football, where things are relatively quiet compared to Dortmund, Hamburg or Munich.

What role does the place of work and the atmosphere play in everyday work?

Frodl:

The working atmosphere is extremely important in order to feel comfortable and to take a break from time to time.

Rumours, the floor radio, these are factors that are extremely stressful for many people.

»As a person, you are much more than just a working person.«

SPIEGEL:

Who do you think is particularly at risk?

Frodl:

People who are particularly perfectionists, but also tend to see things very negatively.

Always seeing the glass as half empty rarely helps in crisis situations.

Genetic factors and the environment are also factors.

SPIEGEL:

How dangerous is it when you define yourself primarily through your work and are also perceived as such from the outside?

Frodl:

That is a great danger.

Everyone has different strengths and resources.

As a person, you are much more than a working person.

SPIEGEL:

What can I do if I notice that the pressure is increasing?

Frodl:

Allow yourself breaks, create routines.

The early exchange with the employer is very important - also to get out of this 24-hour stress.

DER SPIEGEL:

Isn't it then quickly perceived by superiors and colleagues as being too soft?

Frodl:

That always depends on the boss.

The corporate culture is crucial here.

Of course, the supervisor is afraid that an employee could be absent for a longer period of time - but that only makes it worse in these moments.

SPIEGEL:

What else helps?

Frodl:

Sport is a good outlet.

If it becomes clear that you are approaching your limits, you should seek initial support at an early stage.

Counseling centers, general practitioners and telephone counseling are good contact points.

SPIEGEL:

Max Eberl described his suffering as a process.

As something that came slowly.

Even a three-week break a year ago couldn't really help anymore.

Is it typical for mental stress to build up over several weeks?

Frodl:

That depends very much on the individual case.

Physical symptoms can also come on very suddenly.

SPIEGEL:

How should you react when you notice these symptoms?

Frodl:

You should open up, for example to friends.

If you find that your symptoms are not easing, you should seek professional help.

SPIEGEL:

When should the alarm bells ring?

Frodl:

If you are permanently tired, aggressive, exhausted and easily irritable.

If this lasts for more than a week and you are accompanied by gastrointestinal problems and headaches, this is a sign that you are not recovering properly.

SPIEGEL:

And at work;

when is the time to pull the ripcord?

Frodl:

If you have the symptoms not just for a few days but for several weeks, you should do something.

You are then still at a stage where things can be handled and controlled well.

SPIEGEL:

Once you've reached the point where the rip cord has been pulled, can you go back to the kind of rat race that professional sport is like - or should you switch industries completely?

Frodl:

You can become as resilient as you used to be.

But that means changing a few things.

It is crucial not to let yourself be pushed back into the hamster wheel.

Then a lot is possible.

You should be more sensitive to yourself, learn to say no.

This is essential.

SPIEGEL:

Max Eberl comes from a phase of enormous pressure. What is important to consider when you suddenly no longer have this pressure?

Frodl:

It's not about doing nothing anymore.

You should use the time to devote yourself to things that you may have neglected in the past: hobbies, friends, family, completely different things.

But you can also just relax.

Source: spiegel

All business articles on 2022-01-29

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