12 Stages of Burnout

Marie Tolman

Happiness & Resilience Coach

Expert by Experience and Profession

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12 STAGES OF BURNOUT

What it means to burnout

There’s no clear cut definition of what burnout is but the term first

appeared in the 1970s from the psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. Freudgenberger and his colleague Gail North identified 12 stages that

lead up to burnout

These twelve stages don’t necessarily have to happen in order. Some people experience them all, others only experience some of them.

The physiological symptoms of burnout are caused by our fight or flight response. Whether we like it or not, this response can be triggered by

common work stressors (like trying to meet deadlines or finish projects).

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THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONCE

3

The Compulsion to Prove Oneself

Demonstrating worth obsessively; tends to

hit the best employees, those with

enthusiasm who accept responsibility readily

STAGE ONE 4

Working Harder

Have an inability to switch off

Stage Two

5

Neglecting Their Needs

Sleep becomes erratic, eating disrupted

erratic and lack of social interaction

Stage Three

6

Displacement of Conflicts

Start to dismiss problems we may feel

threatened, panicky and jittery

Stage Four 7

Revision of Values

Values are skewed, friends and family

dismissed, hobbies seen as irrelevant, work

is only focus.

Stage Five 8

Denial of Emerging Problems

Intolerance, perceiving collaborators as

stupid, lazy, demanding, or undisciplined,

social contacts harder; cynicism,

aggression; problems are viewed as caused

by time pressure and work, not because of

life changes.

Stage Six

9

Withdrawal

Social life small or non-existent, need to feel

relief from stress, alcohol/drugs.

Stage Seven

10

Odd Behavioural Changes

Changes in behaviour obvious, friends and

family concerned.

Stage Eight

11

Depersonalization

Seeing neither self nor others as valuable,

and no longer perceive own needs

Stage Ten

12

Inner Emptiness

Feeling empty inside and to overcome

this, look for activity such as overeating,

sex, alcohol, or drugs; activities are often

exaggerated

Stage Eleven

13

Depression

Feeling lost and unsure, exhausted,

future feels bleak and dark.

Step Eleven

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Burnout Syndrome

Can include total mental and physical

collapse; time for full medical attention.

Stage Twelve

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