Burn-out, or occupational burnout, refers to a state of exhaustion associated with prolonged exposure to intense work-related stress and demands that exceed, or eventually overwhelm, a person's available resources.

“People are sometimes victims of fire, just like buildings. Under the strain produced by living in our complex world, their inner resources come to be consumed as if by flames, leaving an immense emptiness inside, even though the outer appearance may remain more or less intact.”
— Herbert J. Freudenberger

Burn-out can manifest in different ways, affecting a person's physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural functioning. Common signs may include:

• profound and persistent fatigue
• loss of energy and motivation
• a gradual disengagement from work
• a sense of failure or incompetence
• difficulty carrying out tasks that were previously manageable
• a feeling of no longer being able to cope or of “losing one's footing”
• reduced self-esteem and confidence in one's abilities
• a more cynical or detached attitude towards work
• social withdrawal or isolation
• feeling overwhelmed by professional or personal demands
• sleep difficulties
• headaches or physical pain, particularly back pain
• difficulties with memory, attention and concentration
• difficulty making decisions
• anxiety or depressive symptoms, which in some cases may include suicidal thoughts
• panic attacks
• increased use of alcohol, medication or other substances

This list is not exhaustive, and the symptoms and experience of burn-out can vary considerably from one person to another. The factors contributing to burn-out are often complex and interconnected. They may relate to working conditions — such as workload, pressure, lack of recognition, limited autonomy, or organisational and interpersonal difficulties — but also to the way in which each person invests in their work, responds to demands, manages their boundaries and copes with pressure.

Burn-out is not an insurmountable condition, and it is not necessary to wait until difficulties become overwhelming before seeking help. Early support can help you understand what has contributed to the exhaustion and identify the changes that may be needed.

Support should be personalised and adapted to each individual's situation. It can help you gradually regain your energy, develop a better understanding of and response to stress, rebuild confidence and consider what may need to change in your professional life. It may also involve rethinking your boundaries, priorities, expectations and the place that work occupies in your life, in order to develop a more sustainable balance and a healthier relationship with work.