Mental Health Support
Many people will first notice their burnout symptoms in their mind, such as feeling disengaged or struggling to switch off intrusive thoughts. For some, this can progress to more severe symptoms such as depression.
Burnout itself is not an official medical diagnosis and it is therefore not always straighforward to get the support that we need for recovery. Instead, in burnout, we are more likely to have a cluster of symptoms, that looked at together build up a picture that we are burned out.
Some common mental health diagnoses that are experienced during burnout include…
Depression and/ or anxiety, or an exacerbation of any pre-existing or underlying mental health conditions.
Panick attacks, a feeling of intense fear that can cause an elevated heart rate, hyperventilation, flashbacks, sweating and trembling, typically lasting 5-20 minutes.
Dissociation— a disconnect with our thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity- can occur as the brain’s way of coping with intense stress.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis where you need immediate support, call 111 and select the mental health option for support through the NHS, or 116123 for confidential emotional support from Samaritans. Both are free, 24 hour, 7 day a week services. If talking feels unmanageable, you can also receive free, confidential text support from SHOUT by texting 85258.
For any non-life-threatening mental health concerns you may wish to…
Talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing and the treatment options available, such as antidepressants or NHS-funded therapy
You can also self-refer for the NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression.
Explore private therapy. You can find a therapy through the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, for example.
The Climate Psychology Alliance offers three free climate-informed therapy sessions.