We have put some information together here which should assist you in making a quick self-assessment. Our ultimate goal is not to treat the symptoms of burn out, but to prevent it happening in the first place. Remember: Every human being can only tolerate short periods of excessive stress.

Phases of Burnout Syndrome

Herbert Freudenberger and his colleague, Gail North, theorized that the burnout process can be divided into twelve phases, which are not necessarily followed sequentially:

• A compulsion to prove oneself
• Working harder
• Neglecting one's own needs
• Displacement of conflicts (the person does not realize the cause of distress)
• Revision of values (friends or hobbies are completely dismissed)
• Denial of emerging problems (cynicism and aggression become apparent)
• Withdrawal (reducing social contacts to a minimum)
• Behavioural changes become obvious to others, feelings of worthlessness, increased anxiety
• De-personalization (life becomes a series of mechanical functions)
• Inner emptiness and desperate attempts to hide these feelings by over-reaction (sexuality, eating habits, alcohol or other substance abuse may occur)
• Depression with symptoms including apathy, hopelessness, exhaustion and lack of perspective
• First suicidal thoughts as a way of escaping the situation; acute risk of mental and physical collapse.

Effort Reward Imbalance Model:

A general form of explanation for burnout syndrome, especially in business and management, is the concept of imbalance between demands and resources, ERI in short (effort-reward imbalance model by Johannes Siegrist). You can make a quick self-assessment right here:

• "Effort"
  • "I am constantly under time pressure"
  • "I have too much responsibility"
  • "I am often interrupted at work"
  • "My job has become more demanding in recent years"

• "Reward"
  • "I am not treated with the respect I deserve from my superiors"
  • "In times of trouble there is inadequate support"
  • "I am often treated unfairly"
  • "My professional future is uncertain"

Check out this link to make a quick self-test: http://www.palverlag.de/Burnout_Test.html

Source: Wikipedia