Burnout and Work Stress: When It’s Time to Seek Professional Help

You used to love your job. You were motivated, productive, and felt a sense of purpose in your work. But lately, something has shifted. You drag yourself out of bed each morning, dread opening your inbox, and feel completely depleted by the end of the day—even when you haven’t done anything particularly demanding.

If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing burnout—a state of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. And you’re far from alone. Studies show that over 75% of workers have experienced burnout at some point in their careers, with rates climbing significantly since 2020.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout is more than just feeling tired after a long week. The World Health Organization officially recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon characterized by three key dimensions:

• Exhaustion: Feeling physically and emotionally drained, even after rest
• Cynicism: Increased mental distance from your job, negativity, or detachment
• Reduced efficacy: Feeling incompetent or unproductive despite your efforts

Unlike everyday stress, which typically resolves when the stressor is removed, burnout builds up over time and doesn’t simply go away with a vacation or a good night’s sleep.

Signs You May Be Experiencing Burnout

Burnout manifests differently for everyone, but common warning signs include:

Physical Symptoms

• Chronic fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
• Frequent headaches or muscle tension
• Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping)
• Weakened immune system and frequent illness
• Appetite changes

Emotional Symptoms

• Feeling helpless, trapped, or defeated
• Loss of motivation and sense of purpose
• Increased irritability or impatience
• Feeling detached or alone
• Anxiety about work, even during off-hours
• Depression or feelings of emptiness

Behavioral Symptoms

• Withdrawing from responsibilities
• Isolating from colleagues, friends, or family
• Procrastinating or taking longer to complete tasks
• Using food, alcohol, or other substances to cope
• Taking out frustrations on others

Who Is at Risk for Burnout?

While anyone can experience burnout, certain professionals face higher risks:

• Healthcare workers dealing with emotional demands and long hours
• Teachers and educators managing large workloads with limited resources
• Corporate professionals facing constant deadlines and performance pressure
• Entrepreneurs and business owners carrying the weight of their company
• Caregivers balancing work with caring for family members
• Remote workers struggling with work-life boundaries

High achievers and perfectionists are particularly vulnerable, as they often push themselves beyond healthy limits and have difficulty saying no.

The Difference Between Stress and Burnout

It’s important to understand that stress and burnout, while related, are not the same:

Why Therapy Helps with Burnout

Many people try to push through burnout on their own—taking a few days off, trying to exercise more, or simply waiting for things to get better. While self-care is important, burnout often requires professional support to fully recover.

Working with a therapist can help you:

• Identify root causes: Understand the specific workplace dynamics, personal patterns, or life circumstances contributing to your burnout
• Develop healthy boundaries: Learn to say no, delegate, and protect your time and energy
• Process difficult emotions: Work through feelings of guilt, inadequacy, or resentment that often accompany burnout
• Build coping strategies: Develop practical skills for managing stress before it becomes overwhelming
• Address underlying issues: Explore whether anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or past experiences are contributing factors
• Create sustainable changes: Develop a plan for returning to work (or a new career path) in a healthy way

Treatment Approaches for Burnout

At Healing Therapy Center, we use evidence-based approaches to help clients recover from burnout:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to stress. You’ll learn to recognize unhelpful beliefs (like “I have to be perfect” or “I can’t say no”) and develop healthier perspectives.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teaches you to stay present and reduce the constant mental chatter that keeps you anxious about work even when you’re not there.

Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on practical steps you can take now to improve your situation, rather than dwelling on how you got here.

5 Steps to Start Your Recovery Today

While professional help is important for serious burnout, here are some immediate steps you can take:

1. Acknowledge the Problem

Stop telling yourself you just need to “try harder” or “push through.” Recognizing burnout is the first step to addressing it.

2. Set One Boundary This Week

Start small. Maybe it’s not checking email after 7 PM, or taking your full lunch break. One boundary can begin to shift the pattern.

3. Talk to Someone

Whether it’s a trusted friend, family member, or therapist—don’t try to handle this alone. Isolation makes burnout worse.

4. Evaluate Your Situation Honestly

Is your workplace toxic, or are there changes you could make? Sometimes burnout requires a job change; other times it requires changing how we relate to our work.

5. Prioritize Recovery, Not Just Rest

Recovery means actively doing things that restore you—spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, moving your body, or simply doing nothing without guilt.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider reaching out to a therapist if:

• Your symptoms have lasted more than a few weeks
• You’re experiencing depression or anxiety alongside burnout
• Your relationships are suffering
• You’re using alcohol, food, or other substances to cope
• You feel like you’ve tried everything but nothing helps
• You’re having thoughts of self-harm

Burnout doesn’t have to define your career or your life. With the right support, you can recover your energy, rediscover your purpose, and build a more sustainable relationship with work.

 

If you’re struggling with burnout or chronic work stress, the therapists at Healing Therapy Center are here to help. We provide a supportive, judgment-free space where you can process your experiences and develop strategies for lasting change. We serve clients in Dearborn, Plymouth, Novi, Northville, Birmingham, Royal Oak, and throughout the Metro Detroit area. Telehealth appointments are also available for clients across Michigan.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward recovery.