Burnout treatment

Information about Burnout treatment.
Burnout is a condition marked by extreme fatigue, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. Effective treatment focuses on:
• Reducing symptoms
• Preventing future burnout by developing coping skills
• Gradually returning to work

Not all treatments are equally effective, and some may take longer than others. This guide highlights effective burnout treatments and explains their mechanisms.

Tailored Treatment Plans

Burnout has three subscales, and individuals don’t need to score high on all three to meet the criteria. Different treatments may work better depending on the subscale scores. Adjusting the treatment plan slightly can often improve outcomes.
At Barends Psychology Practice, we focus on reducing stress and anxiety while simultaneously enhancing your time management skills, strengthening your ability to set healthy boundaries, and fostering a better balance between work and personal life. Through this integrated approach, we aim to empower you to achieve greater well-being and resilience in both your personal and professional spheres.

 


 
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At Barends Psychology Practice, we offer burnout treatment. Go to Contact us for a free initial session.

 

 

Burnout Treatment: Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy uses psychological techniques to reduce symptoms, treat mental disorders, and build coping skills. Effective approaches include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
 
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on the reduction of burnout symptoms, as shown in studies:
• After 14 CBT sessions, individuals had lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and fewer subjective complaints [6].
• Another study found CBT improved general health and reduced burnout symptoms and cognitive difficulties, though cognitive test performance (e.g., updating, inhibition, switching) did not improve after 10 weeks [7].
• Burnout symptoms and emotional exhaustion decreased in 64.64% of participants after CBT [3],[4].
At Barends Psychology Practice, we prioritize helping individuals set healthy boundaries, establish a sustainable work-life balance, and develop effective time management skills. Additionally, we focus on reducing stress to promote overall well-being. By combining these strategies, we create a holistic approach that fosters resilience and enhances quality of life both at work and at home.
 
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on reducing experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and increasing commitment to personal values. It is effective for overall burnout and specific subscales [8],[9].
 
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR has been shown to reduce emotional exhaustion in people with burnout, though more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness [10]. Next to the reduction of emotional exhaustion, EMDR also neutralizes negative or traumatic work-related experiences which can significantly enhance stress, anxiety and/or feelings of depression.
 
Other therapies like music therapy, stress management, spa treatments, and art therapy have shown promise but require further research [1],[3],[5].

Summary: Psychotherapy, especially CBT, is effective for burnout treatment. While other methods show potential, more research is needed to validate their effectiveness.
 

The impact of Burnout treatment at work:

Burnout treatment significantly enhances productivity at work and boosts job satisfaction by addressing the root causes of exhaustion and disengagement. For instance, effective therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms, which in turn reduces stress and improves focus. As emotional exhaustion decreases, employees often regain their sense of purpose and motivation, allowing them to perform tasks more efficiently. Furthermore, therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) promote alignment with personal values, making work feel more meaningful. As individuals feel more in control and supported, their confidence and satisfaction with their roles naturally increase, leading to a more positive and engaged workforce. Consequently, organizations also benefit from reduced absenteeism and higher morale.

 

Burnout treatment: Medication

Despite frequent use of antidepressants and sleep aids by those on sick leave due to burnout [2], no specific medication has proven effective for treating burnout itself [11]. While antidepressants are often prescribed due to the overlap between burnout and depression, their impact on burnout symptoms remains unclear.

Summary: Medications are commonly used but lack strong evidence for effectiveness in treating burnout.
 
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Burnout treatment: Literature

  • [1] Blasche, G., Leibetseder, V., & Marktl, W. (2010). Association of spa therapy with improvement of psychological symptoms of occupational burnout: a pilot study. Complementary Medicine Research, 17, 132-136.
  • [2] Grensman, A., Acharya, B. D., Wändell, P., Nilsson, G., & Werner, S. (2016). Health-related quality of life in patients with Burnout on sick leave: descriptive and comparative results from a clinical study. International archives of occupational and environmental health, 89, 319-329.
  • [3] Korczak, D., Wastian, M., & Schneider, M. (2012). Therapy of the burnout syndrome. GMS health technology assessment, 8.
  • [4] Jaworska-Burzyńska, L., Kanaffa-Kilijańska, U., Przysiężna, E., & Szczepańska-Gieracha, J. (2016). The role of therapy in reducing the risk of job burnout–a systematic review of literature. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 4, 43-52.
  • [5] Italia, S., Favara‐Scacco, C., Di Cataldo, A., & Russo, G. (2008). Evaluation and art therapy treatment of the burnout syndrome in oncology units. Psycho‐Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer, 17, 676-680.
  • [6] Mommersteeg, P., Keijsers, G. P., Heijnen, C. J., Verbraak, M. J., & van Doornen, L. J. (2006). Cortisol deviations in people with burnout before and after psychotherapy: a pilot study. Health Psychology, 25, 243.
  • [7] Oosterholt, B. G., Van der Linden, D., Maes, J. H., Verbraak, M. J., & Kompier, M. A. (2012). Burned out cognition—cognitive functioning of burnout patients before and after a period with psychological treatment. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 358-369.
  • [8] Hosseinaei, A., Ahadi, H., Fata, L., Heidarei, A., & Mazaheri, M. M. (2013). Effects of Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-Based Training on Job Stress and Burnout. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry & Clinical Psychology, 19.
  • [9] Vilardaga, R., Luoma, J. B., Hayes, S. C., Pistorello, J., Levin, M. E., Hildebrandt, M. J., … & Bond, F. (2011). Burnout among the addiction counseling workforce: The differential roles of mindfulness and values-based processes and work-site factors. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 40, 323-335.
  • [10] Soares, C. (2015). EMDR como ferramenta de ação no tratamento do Burnout. Factores de Risco, 37, 82-87.
  • [11] Kakiashvili, T., Leszek, J., & Rutkowski, K. (2013). The medical perspective on burnout. International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, 26, 401-412.