# Burnout phases 1. **Excessive drive/ambition.** Common for people starting a new job or undertaking a novel task, too much ambition can lead to burnout. 1. You feel there is a strong need to prove yourself 2. **Pushing yourself to work harder.** Ambition pushes you to work harder. 1. You keep working harder and harder to achieve this 3. **Neglecting your own needs.** You begin to sacrifice self-care like sleep, exercise, and eating well. 1. You begin to neglect your own needs more 4. **Displacement of conflict.** Instead of acknowledging that you’re pushing yourself to the max, you blame your boss, the demands of your job, or colleagues for your troubles. 1. You are conflicted and blame others or the situation 5. **No time for nonwork-related needs.** You begin to withdraw from family and friends. Social invitations to parties, movies, and dinner dates start to feel burdensome, instead of enjoyable. 1. You change your values to focus on work more 6. **Denial.** Impatience with those around you mounts. Instead of taking responsibility for your behaviors, you blame others, seeing them as incompetent, lazy, and overbearing. 1. You deny the problems that arise due to work stress 7. **Withdrawal.** You begin to withdraw from family and friends. Social invitations to parties, movies, and dinner dates start to feel burdensome, instead of enjoyable. 1. You withdraw from social life and your family as well 8. **Behavioral changes.** Those on the road to burnout may become more aggressive and snap at loved ones for no reason. 1. Your behavior changes which upsets your loved ones 9. **Depersonalization.** Feeling detached from your life and your ability to control your life. 1. Depersonalization happens, you do not feel like yourself 10. **Inner emptiness or anxiety.** Feeling empty or anxious. You may turn to thrill seeking behaviors to cope with this emotion, such as substance use, gambling, or overeating. 1. You feel empty and numb, substance abuse can occur 11. **Depression.** Life loses its meaning and you begin to feel hopeless. 1. You feel depressed, lost and completely exhausted 12. **Mental or physical collapse.** This can impact your ability to cope. Mental health or medical attention may be necessary. 1. You mentally and physically collapse, full burnout ## References - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230825/ ## Related - [[Tips to avoid burnout]]