Burnout and chronic stress
Stress is a normal survival response to a threatening situation. In a dangerous situation, the heart rate and breathing will accelerate, adrenaline will be released into the bloodstream, and the muscles will tense up. Our body automatically prepares to fight or flee. When stress takes on a chronic form, or when the amount of stress becomes greater than you can handle as a person, this can lead to physical complaints. Only when the complaints arise as a result of work-related stress do people speak of a burnout syndrome.
What is it?
Burnout syndrome is defined as an excessive stress response to the professional environment.
A Burnout syndrome consists of three major characteristics: being emotionally exhausted, depersonalization (self-alienation; awareness of one's own personality decreases but people still remain aware of their identity) and low self-esteem.
Typical symptoms of a burnout syndrome include:
- memory and concentration disorders
- sleep disorders
- vague pain symptoms
- be physical fatigue
- be easily annoyed
- be anxious
- be emotionally drained
These symptoms are similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). But unlike CFS or PTSD, a burnout syndrome is preceded by a prolonged period of work-related stress. According to a study by Securex (2014), as many as 64% of all employees would experience psychological and physical discomfort due to work-related stress.Studies show that burnout syndrome is associated with the breakdown of the stress coping network (amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, insular, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) in the brain.
These areas are involved in determining what is behaviorally important, as well as in controlling the sympathetic part (flight and fight response) of the autonomic nervous system.
How to treat
It is not yet possible to objectify burnout syndrome by means of biomarkers. For that, the results of various studies are not consistent enough. But it seems undeniable that burnout is a neurobiological disorder.
A qEEG can identify the difference in brain activity between people with burnout and healthy volunteers. This gives us the opportunity to determine over time whether the QEEG study can objectify burnout.
Neuromodulation techniques, in particular neurofeedback, can be used to retrain the disintegrated stress coping network. With double cone coil TMS, stress reduction can be achieved. Psychotherapy or medication can be used to prevent a relapse. After all, there is a reason why people are exhausted. A psychologist can provide insight into this and look for solutions so that people do not fall into the same pitfalls in the future.
Scientific study:
Transcranial direct current stimulation and attention skills in burnout patients, 2020. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.21831.2
Burnout is characterized by decreased attention and impaired functioning of various parts of working memory. It has already been shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can have a positive effect on burnout and associated depressive symptoms, but permanent attention disorders and executive function disorders are the most frustrating for patients. The research will investigate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve executive control of attention and possibly various other components of working memory in patients with burnout.
16 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the placebo group or the real stimulation group. tDCS had a significant impact on attention. Post-hoc comparisons also revealed a trend towards greater improvement after real tDCS for inhibition and shifting, updating and control, and coding. Both groups improved on burnout and depression scores.
The data from this study provide preliminary evidence of the value of tDCS in repairing attention disorders, as well as executive and coding deficiencies, in case of burnout.
Other conditions that we treat
Auditory and vestibular disorders
These disorders are related to hearing and balance and can have a major impact on your daily life.
.png)
Neurological and cognitive disorders
These disorders affect brain function, which can lead to problems with attention, memory, and motor skills.
Mental and emotional disorders
Mental illness can be deeply rooted in neurobiological dysfunctions.
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Syndromes
Chronic pain and fatigue are often difficult to treat with conventional methods, especially when there is no obvious physical cause.
Fatigue syndromes and sleep disorders
Sleep and energy management are essential for brain function. Problems in these areas can lead to severe tiredness and difficulty concentrating.
Headache and facial pain disorders
Headaches and facial pain can result from complex neurological processes.
Ready to take the first step?
Our specialists are here to help you. Find out what treatments are possible or schedule a consultation.