Introduction

Attention hard workers, perfectionists, and enthusiasts, burnout is here and it’s here for you! 

For a very long time, society did nothing but promote hard work, relentless work, and hard work! Yes, it’s always been a good idea to give your all to your work, even if it means neglecting every other aspect of your life!  

Well, this philosophy of life, while fruitful for some, has also done a lot of harm! New psychological illnesses have been spawned, including the notorious burnout. 

What is burnout? 

Even today, the term burnout causes a great deal of confusion. Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic stress in the workplace that has not been successfully managed. Although some people claim to suffer from parental burnout, according to the WHO, this syndrome is specific to the professional field and should not be applied to describe other life experiences. Be that as it may, isn’t parenthood a full-time job?  

Am I having a burnout? 

At one point or another in our professional lives, we all ask ourselves this question – yes, you’re not alone! 

Burnout is characterized by 3 factors: 

– A feeling of exhaustion or loss of energy, 

– Disinvestment in work, feelings of negativism or related cynicism, 

– Reduced professional effectiveness. 

In fact, over 130 manifestations of burnout have been identified, varying according to the individual, with varying degrees of intensity and gradual onset. Moreover, there’s a fine line between depression and burnout. This makes it difficult to diagnose. 

Burnout in Cameroon 

In Cameroon, a 2019 study by Anicet Bopda Negueu and colleagues among healthcare professionals at a referral hospital showed a 63% prevalence of burnout. Another study by L.J. Owona Manga’s team among public secondary school teachers in Douala put the prevalence of burnout in this sector at 78.8%. 

Despite these worrying figures in these vital sectors, little is known about this phenomenon in Cameroon. Indeed, there is widespread scepticism and mystification about psychological disorders.

How can burnout be prevented? 

Today more than ever, it is essential for companies and individuals alike to take steps to prevent burnout. This means cleaning up the work environment, and on an individual level, better organization and consideration for one’s mental health. Yes, dear employers, stress is counter-productive, and harmful to the health of your employees and therefore to your business. 

Conclusion

Dalai Lama said of men that they lose their health to accumulate money, and then lose their money to regain their health. They live as if they were never going to die, and die as if they had never lived. That said, isn’t quite quitting the best way to avoid burnout? Do we really need to do so?