This article is from the magazine Les Dossiers de Sciences et Avenir n°220 dated January/March 2025.
While the term burnout has become common vocabulary to describe a form of exhaustion, its true definition, which is strictly within the professional context, is less well known. It is not simply fatigue, but a set of mildly symptomatic reactions (sleep disorders, withdrawal, aggression, etc.) resulting from chronic professional stress involving emotional exhaustion, a form of depersonalization generating a negative view of one's work environment, and above all the feeling of not being able to accomplish the tasks imposed by one's job.
Professions requiring a high investment
Originating in the hospital context, the concept most often applies to professions requiring a high level of commitment and in which relationships with others are essential. It is up to the employer to prevent this syndrome, which is a psychosocial risk.
He must organize work so that certain positions are not overloaded, favoring teamwork to avoid isolation and putting in place ways to express recognition for work accomplished. A medical diagnosis will also have to assess whether there is a risk of depression or suicide.
For their part, employees must manage to properly separate their work and personal lives to create real periods of rest. They should not hesitate to rely on their colleagues and key people in their company (staff representatives, HR director, occupational physician) by reporting any difficulties to them.
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