Burnout is a prevalent syndrome related to the stress people experience at work. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 brought urgent attention to the growing problem when it redefined the syndrome and made a series of public service announcements about its severity.
More About Burnout and Its Treatment
In the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), Burnout is defined as an occupational syndrome “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
- feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion.
- increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job.
- reduced professional efficacy.”
In my psychiatry practice, I work with many high-level professionals who are suffering from Burnout and seeking relief in order to prevent career damage, job loss, or clinical conditions like anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, depression, or attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Sometimes I encourage people to take time off from work, and potentially make use of FMLA or short-term disability benefits. We discuss how to communicate most effectively with their boss, colleagues, and HR departments in order to obtain relief while protecting the confidentiality of sensitive medical information.
In all cases, I work collaboratively with patients to implement a multifaceted treatment plan to reduce Burnout and manage any comorbid medical/psychiatric conditions. The treatment plan may include a combination of medication, talk therapy (usually CBT), mindfulness strategies, sleep hygiene, an exercise regimen, and professional coaching.
My expertise in executive coaching provides me with an enhanced perspective and toolkit to support my patients’ journey toward restoration of their job functioning and career growth.
If you think you or someone you care about may be suffering from burnout, please contact me by email or call (617) 932-1548. Appointments can also be booked online via my ZocDoc page.