5 signs of worry burnout
In this article, Martin Preston, the addiction specialist at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere, shares the warning signs of worry burnout.
Worry burnout is a term coined to describe a state of emotional exhaustion where a person feels worn out and overwhelmed by worry – and even experiences heightened feelings of anger.
It is often a result of prolonged, excessive emotional, physical and mental stress.
Exposure to stressful situations, like worrying about things out of your control, such as the rising cost of living and news related to politics, can lead to this condition.
Recognise the signs of worry burnout:
Constant worrying can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. It can weigh negatively on your day-to-day life, relationships, career and other aspects.
Worrying is a normal part of human life. However, during unprecedented times of the pandemic, people have been exposed to worry burnout. This is when a person feels overwhelmed by worry.
Signs:
- Feeling unmotivated
- Increased anxiety;
- Feeling sensitive and irritable;
- Avoiding the news;
- Feeling exhausted.
Feeling unmotivated
Whether the source of worrying is a personal issue or a global matter, people may often feel more socially withdrawn and find themselves disconnected from family and friends.
You could recognise this as not getting involved with social events or ignoring contact with others.
Increased anxiety
When worrying about everyday situations becomes excessive, it can lead to heightened feelings of anxiety and can even make you physically ill.
We all feel anxious sometimes, but worry burnout is when excessive worries do not go away in the absence of the stressor.
Avoiding the news
Those on the verge of worry burnout may find themselves avoiding the news. It is not uncommon for people to feel overwhelmed with negative news that they cannot listen to, read or watch news programmes anymore.
On the other hand, people may become obsessed with the news cycle. This means it starts to play a big part in their daily lives.
Feeling sensitive and irritable
Aggressive behaviour is also a common indicator of worry burnout. Irritable individuals may experience a level of sensitivity and aggression towards their family, friends and colleagues.
While everybody experiences some negative emotions within their day-to-day lives, it’s vital to recognise when these feelings are becoming unusual. People will often find themselves thinking more negatively as they absorb darker emotions.
Feeling exhausted
People on the verge of burnout due to stress can begin to experience and display emotional and physical signs of exhaustion.
They will often feel a lack of physical energy, but they also develop the feeling of being emotionally drained and depleted.
A common sign of exhaustion is the lack of motivation to get out of bed in the morning or day-to-day life becoming more challenging than normal.
In a follow-up article, he explains how you can overcome worry burnout.
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