Sooner or later, many people are faced with the problem of stress - this is a real epidemic. First, a certain psychological inertia appears, as if something presses on a person. Even the most familiar activity requires an incredible level of energy, it is almost impossible to concentrate on work. And it is worth trying to relax, as it turns out that thoughts still return to work all the time. Chronic fatigue is complemented by a depressive state, a person does not feel the joy of life and does not see positive prospects.
Global problem
Emotional burnout can overtake everyone. Of course, such a problem existed before, but it seems that it did not have such a global scale before. Now it is being discussed everywhere. It seems that the modern pace of life is a real test for a person. Is it really so? Or maybe a temporary breakdown and loss of mood is just a natural part of life, like a seasonal cold? Keith Schaffner, a medical historian from the UK, decided to explore this issue and published a comprehensive study describing the limits of human capabilities - both physical, mental and energetic.
Chronic fatigue research
There is no doubt that chronic fatigue is one of the most pressing problems at the moment. A study analyzing the condition of German doctors showed that one in two suffers from professional burnout. For example, many people feel incessant fatigue and despair at every thought of work. What's especially interesting is that men and women deal with this condition differently. According to statistics, men with similar symptoms are much more likely to take sick leave than women. Given that depression also causes depressed mood, some consider it and burnout synonymous. Depression is thought to be a more derogatory wording for losers, and burnout is the hallmark of the in-demand workaholic. This is actually a weird bias. These two states are completely different. Scientists note that depression is associated with self-loathing, but burnout usually does not affect self-esteem in any way. Negative emotions during burnout are directed not at the person himself, but at the company in which he works and the people around him.
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Causes of the problem
According to some reports, our brains are simply not suited to the level of stress found in modern society. The ever-increasing demands for productivity and the emotional need to pursue a career makes people feel overwhelmed. Previously, such a state occurred in people only in cases of severe danger. Under the influence of stress, the body produces stress hormones. And the stress doesn't end with work. Modern cities live 24 hours a day, so it can be quite difficult to really relax. Unable to let off steam, a person is in serious danger.
Burnout history
When Schaffner began studying historical literature, she found that the problem of burnout existed even when people lived at a completely different pace. For the first time, the problem was highlighted by the Roman physician Galen, who, like Hippocrates, believed in the importance of the balance of the four components of the blood. Of course, the medical concepts of those times are not confirmed by modern science, but the coverage of the problem would seem familiar to many modern people. During the development of Christianity, burnout was considered the lot of the weak in spirit. Religious explanations were relevant until the emergence of modern medicine, when doctors became aware of the concept of neurasthenia. Such famous personalities as Oscar Wilde, Charles Darwin, Thomas Mann and Virginia Woolf had a similar diagnosis. Doctors saw the reason for the social changes that accompanied the industrial revolution. This diagnosis is still used in China and Japan. It is seen as an alternative way to define depression.
Scientific explanation
It turns out that fatigue has always accompanied people. Moreover, the reasons were different each time. It is difficult to say if this condition is caused by physical or purely psychological problems, most often it is a combination of factors. People still cannot answer where energy comes from and where it can disappear. Science does not know what symptoms lead to burnout, whether they are determined by society or by the person himself. Perhaps the truth may be different in each specific situation. Understanding the connection between the body and the psyche is important in this case. Our emotions and beliefs strongly affect physiology. Unsurprisingly, fatigue can practically paralyze a person.