| Show uffhOut r generations Americans been telling their that “nobody died from working too hard” Now we all know better Physicians and researchers have found that people like machines “bum out” and when they do they cease to operate If people are forced to function beyond their normal capacity they may suffer great damage “Currently there are more people in danger of succumbing to the bum-ou- t syndrome than in any period in our history” notes Dr Carolyn Karr an associate professor of social studies at Marshall University in Huntington W Virginia “The reasons are quite simple: There are more people working there is great competition for existing jobs and inflation is placing tremendous pressure on people to keep the jobs that they now For f y ? t !' The Dangers of Overworking By Donna Sammons ad ve rtisement mememb: It’s the last day for Sears biggest catalog to save sale of the It’s the last day 5 entire year to 50 from our catalog m have” m By definition bum-ou- t is a condition caused when a person works too hard for too long or endures too much stress over a short period of time Its symptoms and their degree vary with each individual but there are a number of common physical and emotional signs all of us can watch for according to Dr Edward E Stambaugh II a clinical psychologist practicing in Ashland Ky “For instance a person who is burned out feels tired most of the time” he says “He or she may also have headaches or gastrointestinal problems or have trouble sleeping Weight bss is another symptom So is unexplainable depression and sometimes shortness of ' t ' i M 3 fl !J F breath” On a behavioral level Dr Stambaugh says that “people sometimes act just the opposite of themselves A person who has a reputation for contributing ideas during staff meetings will now sit silently in a comer A person who generally interacts with neighbors and friends may y begin to perform chores almost sullenly avoiding all contact with other people As a rule these people feel discouraged bored and maybe even resentful" Another symptom of burnout is quickness to anger “Burned-ou- t people feel that all do work If a cothe they worker a subordinate or even a superior refuses to honor a request it makes them furious” says Stambaugh Burned-ou- t people may also exhibit signs of I ft i It’s the last day to pick It’s the up your phone and last-- day to shop over 150 pages of great values call Sears Catalog Telephone Shopping for these values So do it now Before March 12 passes you by day-to-da- s I I 1 1 t ' Donna Sammons McGraw-Hill’- s cepts tasks readily approaches problems enthusiastically and is keenly interested in promoting his employer and himself He is regarded by those around him as competent creative and caring Kept in check he can be invaluable The trouble begins when he gets overwhelmed by his own enthusiasm The other personality type is the insusceptible to bum-ou- t dividual whose need to control is so great that he thinks he is the only one capable of doing the work properly This person refuses to delegate authority and never admits he needs help Not always is an individual’s personality to blame Professionals in the mental health field agree that there is such a thing as a person who is genuinely overworked and who bums out because of it It can happen to any of us if short-terpressures turn into long-terones In such cases all an individual can do is recognize what is happening and react in a constructive manner One of the more obvious solutions is to take some time off — as much as you need to feel rested “Remember taking a vacation is not an admission of failure nor does it mean that you are deserting your post” says Dr Stambaugh “It’s your time You’ve earned it and you deserve to make good use of it ” Another answer is to lighten your work load After all dedication to one’s job or one’s home does not mean maniacal devotion Some other possible is a reporter for World News Service ® Scars Roebuck and Co rigidity: They resist 1980 Where America shops for Value change and appear to be threatened by it even when it would directly benefit them Psychiatrists and psychologists say that just about everyone can get caught up in the bum-ou- t syndrome (which is often misdiagnosed as a variety of problems including depression) although Dr Herbert J Freudenberger a New York psychoanalyst identifies three personality types as more prone to it One is the individual who has the need to succeed and to feel successful This person feeds that need through his the work situation becomes unsatisfactory he works harder thinking that this is the solution In most cases it work If isn’t Another example is the overcommitted person This type of individual can be a joy to all those he works with — he ac solutions include: Limiting the number of hours you work Not permitting the same person — and that could be you — to handle all the tough jobs Promoting a team approach so that all workers or family members share evenly in the work load Changing jobs or offices or homes “But the most important thing to remember about bum-out- ” warns Stambaugh “is that it is a warning sign It tells us that we are placing too much emphasis or too much pressure on our bodies or our minds or both” He adds that if we continue at such a hectic pace we could be inviting any number of physical ailments uj irccui uiaea auu ui culatory troubles “People have got to pace themselves learn what their limitations are and adjust their lives to them” he says “If we do we might just be able to avoid bum-ou- t all stress-relate- d together” FAMILY WEEKLY March 9 1960 H 15 |
