How do you know it is burnout?

Exhaustion, no strength left, no motivation: these are the classic signs of burnout syndrome. Most people respond by trying even harder to stay active and productive through sheer willpower, which drains them further and makes the state more serious. Disturbed sleep and constant tiredness are the body's way of signalling clearly that something is wrong. The fear of "not being able to keep anything together" grows, and over time performance really does suffer.

It is not unusual for people to try to fix stress symptoms and sleeplessness with a nightcap, which tends to create an additional problem rather than solve the first one. Medication prescribed for acute situations can seem to help at first, but carries its own serious risks when it is used over a long period.

Which signals do you notice in yourself?

• —Do you reach for unhealthy 'helpers' to relax, or simply to get through the day?
• —Has your enjoyment of life quietly disappeared?
• —Do you feel listless or irritable, with a sense of emptiness or pointlessness?
• —Are you disappointed by the people around you, at work or at home?
• —Are you sleeping badly, struggling to concentrate, or swinging between moods?
• —Do you feel permanently tense, as though everything is too much and you can no longer meet what is asked of you?

If you answered yes to several of these questions, it suggests that vitality, enjoyment and energy are missing, that your attention is directed too far outwards, and that you are looking for contact with yourself and with what you actually need.

The earlier you accept help, the more you are spared, and the easier it is to find your way back to a good life. Read about the Vida Libre approach.