What is the Difference between Stress and Burnout?

Stress in its early stages can cause serious problems with health, jobs, and interpersonal relationships. Stress commonly manifests in one or more of the following symptoms: 

●      Forgetfulness

●      Chronic fatigue

●      Sleep problems

●      Declining health (increased illness, heart palpitations, gastrointestinal problems)

●      Change in appetite

●      Anxiety

●      Depression

●      Loss of interest in work

●      Decrease in productivity

●      Irritability and anger

Progressing to Burnout

In some cases, untreated stress can lead to interpersonal challenges and conflicts with family and friends. When left untreated, work related stress can progress to burnout.  Burnout is often a complex interaction between intense working conditions, and the individual within such systems.  On a personal level, burnout often manifests in the following symptoms:

●      Emotional exhaustion

●      Cynicism

●       A diminished sense of efficacy

●       A sense of depersonalization

Untreated stress can lead to burnout, and burnout may lead to other types of physical and emotional illness.  It is important to remember that interventions for burnout need to also occur on an organizational or systems level, not just on the individual level. 

How Untreated Stress Can Impact Your Life

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms of stress or burnout, it is critical to seek help. Stress doesn’t go away on its own and often gets more challenging with time. Both untreated stress and burnout can impact your mental and physical health, personal and professional relationships and career.

For many, stress is caused by a situation which they feel little control over and is often work-related. Many people experiencing chronic stress are high achievers, have high expectations of themselves, and may struggle to set healthy boundaries and limits. This dynamic can create a cycle of overachievement, resulting in a great deal of responsibility and pressure..

Stress also occurs when we don’t take enough time away to relax and restore. Overwork can take a toll on our ability to function well at work and home.We may fall into patterns where we start to see our health impacted, or struggle to find joy and meaning in things that previously gave us a sense of purpose.

Many people find that the best way to reduce stress and restore a healthy balance in their life is through seeking professional help. 

The Mental Health Collective Can Help You Recover from Stress and Burnout

At the Mental Health Collective we understand the tremendous toll of stress and burnout. Every individual’s experience of stress and burnout is different.    Through our highly individualized, integrative, and thorough approach, we can help you recover and move forward with a sense of renewed balance and connection. 

Treatment at the Mental Health Collective begins with a comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessment by a board certified psychiatrist and a licensed psychologist.  After the initial assessment, your clinical team will develop an integrative and individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific diagnosis, your symptoms, and your circumstances.

Treatment may include individual, group and family therapy as well as integrative treatment modalities such as:

·      Yoga

·      Mindfulness and meditation practices

·      Exercise

·      Nutrition

·      Journaling

·      Art therapy

·      Massage therapy

Treatment is tailored to your individual needs. Our team of caring professionals and support staff can help you better understand your particular responses to stress, and how to move towards improved stress management and self care