Regular overtime, sleep problems, it's always about the job – this can be a way to burn-out. How to behave.
Perform more, get more done, constantly improve – this can quickly lead to stress. It can happen that people feel empty and burned out. That there is hardly any energy left with which to master the job or everyday life. The condition can occur in many different facets and forms – sometimes those affected can barely manage the work, sometimes those affected are unable to work.
Burn-out: When to pay attention
Burnout can come insidiously – those affected feel burned out and lose their energy. © Imago stock&people
Normal everyday life and the job can always have stressful phases, then immediately assuming a burn-out is not the right way. The trade union Ver.di has summarised three central categories in which those affected and their relatives should become vigilant:
Mental and physical exhaustion: Those affected feel completely burned out, which can manifest itself as follows
Psychological: constant dejection, anxiety, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness
Physical: hearing loss, vertigo, chest pain, back pain, headache and body aches, heart problems
Change of personality
A change in the personality of the affected person usually occurs without the person noticing it himself. For example, work that used to be fun can be perceived as torture. Perhaps those affected react with cynicism or withdraw completely.
Poor work performance
Concentration and energy suffer from the feeling of exhaustion – those affected can no longer use their actual strengths at work.
Don't miss a thing: You can find everything you need to know about careers in the regular career newsletter from our partner Merkur.de.
What to do if you notice even mild symptoms?
If you notice that you are developing mild symptoms, you can also try to analyze the situation yourself and create a balance. Perhaps the work situation can be changed in such a way that the burden can be reduced. It is also important to set boundaries yourself and say 'no'. Sport as a balance can also help. However, if you notice that the exhaustion is too present, you should consult a doctor.
0
Also Read
Up to 120,000 euros annual salary: These jobs in the construction industry have a future
READ
Sick leave from the doctor: Is this also possible retroactively?
READ
"I can't do it": 40-hour week pushes many to their limits
READ
Sick at work: How many sick days are allowed in Germany?
READ
Up to 118,800 euros salary: Ten German companies that pay the best
READ
Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My Area
At the doctor because of a burn-out: What the next steps can be
Every condition is different, so there is no master plan on how exactly to proceed and how long you will be on sick leave. The first way can lead to the family doctor, if he issues a sick note, the employer is contacted as normal – the boss does not find out the reason for the sick leave. However, if there is a good relationship of trust between the boss and the employee, it may make sense to talk openly about the disease and its consequences, wirtschaftsforum.de informs. Often there are opportunities for change on both sides.
If the doctor does not want to issue a sick note, you can get a second opinion. A referral to a psychiatric practice can also help.
By the way, if you get a sick note, it doesn't mean you have to stay in bed, fresh air can also be healing.
How long sick due to burnout?
If burnout is diagnosed, the duration of the sick leave and the paths of recovery depend on the individual situation, advocard.de informs. Sometimes a few weeks in outpatient treatment would be enough, sometimes a longer inpatient stay would be necessary. In the first six weeks of sick leave, those affected receive their regular salary from their employer. If an illness lasts longer, the health insurance company pays sickness benefit. This is between 70 and 90 percent of the regular salary, informs advocard.de. This is paid for a maximum of 78 weeks.
