Boreout syndrome: the other side of Burnout

The world of work can sometimes be quite toxic. It is true that having a job today is synonymous with privilege, but that does not mean that we are free of problems. There are a number of work-related conditions that can lead to depression, dissatisfaction and anxiety. One of them is Boreout syndrome, antagonist of Burnout Syndrome.

In the case of Burnout, workers are under deep mental exhaustion – a product of overwork – which usually leads to physical and emotional problems. Such as: anxiety problems, insomnia and chronic stress.

Instead, Boreout syndrome is based on the feeling of boredom caused by a lack of expectations at work. This concept emerged in 2007 from Philippe Rothlin and Peter R Werder.

What is Boreout Syndrome?

Boreout syndrome is a phenomenon that At first glance it may seem completely harmless. Having so little work or so little responsibility that we don’t know what to do the rest of the time is the dream of many people.

What many do not know is that this situation ends up negatively affecting those who experience it. Lack of objectives, disinterest and frustration do not take long to appearcausing long-term depression, apathy and concentration problems.

Elements that compose it

According to Phillipe Rothlin and Peter Werder, Bureout syndrome is made up of the following elements:

Boredom: characterized by reluctance, doubt and disorientation, since the worker does not know what to do for much of the working day. This can be caused by the type of activities to be carried out (tedious, monotonous or meaningless) or by their content.Disinterest: refers to an absence of identification with work. In this case, the worker may feel disinterest in what the organization represents, in the work itself and in his situation within the company.Under-demand: feeling that arises from the ability to perform more than what the company or your superior requires of you. This experience arises because your abilities exceed the activities assigned to you or because the number of tasks assigned is minimal.

These three components are closely related and interact with each other. For example, someone who is underextended begins to find work boring, and someone who gets bored sooner or later will begin to lose interest in what they do.

Causes of Boreut syndrome

This chronic sensation arises from lack of planning, hoarding of the most interesting tasks by others, overqualification or limitations when it comes to innovating.

In these cases, Professionals do not see their work recognized or valued by their superiors. This makes the worker realize that no matter how hard he tries, his position will be the same.

The poor preparation and qualification for the position also has an influence, which means that the established objectives are not achieved despite the effort made. In this case, the worker ends up feeling useless and abandons his duties.

For its part, jobs related to monotonous tasks They also promote this situation, such as assembly or storage lines. Doing the same job for hours, with hardly any variation, is, in addition to being boring, somewhat counterproductive.

Boreout Diagnosis

To carry out the proper Boreout diagnosis It is pertinent to know how to differentiate this condition from other disorders with which it shares some symptoms.. These are:

Burnout syndrome: In this case, symptoms similar to Boreout may occur. However, the causes are totally opposite. And in Burnout, the worker suffers from exhaustion, not being able to cope with the continuous demands of his boss, which also generates a situation of chronic stress. Furthermore, the employee does not have time to get bored, does not show low self-esteem and does not have a feeling of undervaluing his or her potential.major depression: Although there is depression in this disorder, other symptoms such as sadness and anhedonia occur, which do not appear in Boreout syndrome.Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: It shares with Boreout syndrome a feeling of apathy for activities that were previously motivating, but in this personality disorder the apathy is not a product of chronic boredom.Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Fatigue is the main element and there is not necessarily low self-esteem, nor personal undervaluation, nor demotivating working conditions, as is the case of Boreout.Duel: Although it is not a psychiatric disorder, this condition can impair the worker’s performance. But, after a while, the subject usually returns to its normal functioning state.

It should be noted that the differential diagnosis with these conditions does not imply that the same person cannot present two (or more) simultaneously. In fact, Boreout syndrome can lead to major depression if not treated in time.

Hence, the importance of knowing how to establish a clear diagnosis, in order to intervene in the most appropriate way, depending on the case.

Treatment

The main focus of treatment is modify the circumstances that are generating the syndromewhich produce low self-esteem and a state of chronic anxiety.

Thus, We will seek to improve working conditions so that the affected person achieves greater involvement at work.. And, if this is not achieved within the current organization, it will be pertinent to change positions, looking for another that suits the expectations and needs of the worker.

However, treatment is not limited to that. In parallel, a mental health professional can approach the worker by providing them with tools that allow you to face the situation and strengthen your self-esteem. Among the techniques to use are:

Stress management through the correct identification of symptoms (for example, muscle tension, accelerated breathing, restlessness, etc.) and the consequent application of previously trained relaxation techniques; such as deep breathing or visualization of pleasant places.Cognitive restructuring. In this case, the professional teaches the affected person to combat intrusive thoughts of uselessness and undervaluation, which produces low self-esteem.Symptom diary, where the worker must write down when he feels unwell and what symptoms he experiences. In the long run, this will help the affected person to be more aware of the consequences that chronic stress has on their health.

In addition to psychotherapeutic intervention, It is recommended that the worker be treated by a doctor who helps him treat psychosomatic illnesses. that have arisen thanks to the syndrome.

How can Boreout syndrome be prevented?

Bureout Syndrome can be prevented as long as companies take appropriate measures. The mental health of employees is essential for good performance of tasks. Ignoring their needs, undervaluing them and not paying attention to their suggestions will cause the work environment to worsen.

There are a series of focuses to which sufficient attention must be paid. Focusing on them, studying them and establishing solutions is essential to end this psychological disorder. If the company itself decides not to intervene, it will be the workers who look for alternatives.

Practice activities outside of work hours

It is advisable to separate work life from personal life. At the end of the day, we must disconnect and do activities that we like and motivate. Playing sports, doing theater, yoga, going to the movies or meeting friends are the most common options.

Reading is also a widely used pastime, since it allows us to escape from reality. We are human beings, and as such we need distractions. Make sure they are healthy and do not resort to harmful alternatives, such as alcohol or drugs.

Talk to a specialist

If you notice that you need outside help, talk to a specialist. Psychologists and psychiatrists are in charge of ensuring your mental and emotional health. They will help you find relaxation techniques, listen to your problems and accompany you in the search for solutions.

You shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes a few sessions a month do much more than we think.

Make a list of objectives

Making a list of short and long-term goals is always good. Think about everything you want to achieve in a short time, and then about your long-term dreams. Reflect, make connections and make decisions to get where you want.

Some of your goals may be impossible, but others are not. Effort and perseverance always go hand in hand with luck, which appears when it should. Try to be prepared for when he finds you.

Talk to your superiors

If you see that they are not aware of the situation, consider talking to them. Maybe if you explain your arguments to them, they will listen to you and a change will occur. Try to be kind and not demand, calmly explaining your point of view on the matter.

In the worst case everything will remain the same, but at least you will know that you have tried. It’s a lot but standing still, doing nothing, for fear of the response. Have the courage to fight for your rights as a worker.

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