The term “burnout” alludes to an analogy between a person and an electric machine that “burns out” its circuit board when overloaded. In reality, a burnout is a type of nervous breakdown in reaction to an extreme emotional situation, for example after being overworked at a job or overwhelmed from a social, relationship or familial point of view. The adaptive capacities of the person decrease, as a candle consuming the last of its wax, and they have no more energy to continue. Biologically, neurochemistry, notably serotonin levels, can be perturbed and the brain just doesn’t function as efficiently.

For the general public the term “Burnout” is a euphemism for what in psychiatry is usually called “major depression” or “clinical depression”. A burnout can be something less severe, simply exhaustion, for which the individual only needs more rest or a vacation to recuperate; however, it can also be a much more serious affair, with significant and long-term consequences for the individual’s health and that needs to be treated and followed up very closely.

Substance abuse, conflictual family and professional situations and chronic psychiatric illness can all lead to burnout. At Salt Recovery, with our multidisciplinary approach towards the mind, body and spirit, we have specialists that can help you on all these levels to rid yourself of burnout and to abstain from the repetitive behaviours that led to that condition whatever they may be.

Call our team at Salt Recovery now and get the help you need.