Am I burned out?

by englishman1213 • 12 years ago

17 9 12 years ago

There's a fairly thin line between burn out and depression. It depends, as ever. If you can find the motivation to do other stuff, not related to work, and don't felt generally "sad", it's more likely to be burnout. But the other symptoms that you've listed are pretty indicative of depression. (I over generalise on purpose with "feeling sad"; depression is way more than that.)

I was burnt out in 2009/10. I was avoiding work, making mistakes, literally hiding things from my boss at the time, and simultaneously shutting out my then wife, drinking a lot. I'd take walks out during the day, two hour lunches, because I didn't want to be in the office, once I even hid my blackberry in a cupboard. I was interested in other things (I was writing, and reading lots, in preparation for the the PhD that I wanted to do), but anything to do with actual work: no thanks. Having been depressed before, I could tell it wasn't that, and it took me a long time to work it out - long enough to encompass a divorce, nearly getting fired and getting forcibly transferred out of that job. If you're worried you might be burnt out, then you might be burnt out. But you also might just hate your job.

Edit: I'm now doing that PhD, started one company that tanked, working at another startup, and learned to code in the last year so I could build another, different one. Burnout fades when you take yourself out of the situation, but sometimes that's easier said than done. The first part is realising what's happening.

tomcam• 12 years ago

Not a shrink but all these symptoms point to depression. Strongly suggest you visit clergy, therapist, or some other caring but impartial person. No shame in that. You wouldn't treat your own MS or gallstones.

svs• 12 years ago

I'm no doctor, but I been burned out a few times. A look at your recent history might be helpful. Do you have months of long hours and stressful work, unappreciative bosses, lack of sleep, no exercise, bad diet and alcohol? Then it's burnout.

If you or any close relatives have a history of depression, or you have had a traumatic experience (i.e. end of a relationship), excess drug usage etc. it might be depression.

junto• 12 years ago

I had this. I bought a racksack, bought a flight ticket to South America and rambled around south and central America for 6 months.

I came back recharged, refreshed and a different person.

geoffw8• 12 years ago

Not even kidding I was about to say the same thing. Just got back from travelling, 2 months in Thailand 1 month in Australia. Would recommend it to anyone feeling like this.

Words cant describe, I feel reinvented. Note: I was disconnected the WHOLE time. Things take on a new meaning.

flipcoder• 12 years ago

sounds like it might be depression, don't be afraid to visit a doctor

watershawl• 12 years ago

I have this right now and feel very similarly. For me it's a case of not knowing why I do what I do, not clearly identifying what it is I actually do for my clients/employers, and what in the world I am capable and willing to change. It's also wintertime, which doesn't help.

Possible cause: I've been listening to a lot of business podcasts lately (at least 2 hours worth a day) and I've found myself comparing myself to other people who are more successful than me. I realize (from listening to podcasts) that this is a bad thing to do and I realize that success is relative, but it's still happening.

I tried chilling out on purpose. In other words, I purposefully started playing. I chose to start playing Minecraft with my kids. I also joined the YMCA and started going swimming there after work. Finally, I have cut down on the number of podcasts I listen to and started listening to music (on CD). I do not listen to the news as it gets me down.

digita88• 12 years ago

I went through something similar. First of all, assess what could have been the 'trigger' for this. You mentioned earlier that "Recently something's happened" so try and pinpoint the events surrounding that moment. Could it be because of the change in weather? Stressful news? A realisation that you made? You need to find what triggered you. In the same way that an event can trigger people into action, the same thing can happen but backfire people.

If/when you find the trigger/s, inspect it. Was it in your control? Was it out of your control? Also know that perhaps other people have gone through something similar to you as per HN thread. And that it's part of life. Also know that many items in our lives are 'manufactured'.

Now, your reaction. Is your reaction healthy or unhealthy? Sometimes giving your mind/body a rest is your body's way of survival. Maybe lay off on those side projects. Maybe lay off on the new technology and just focus on one. Or just lay off technology.

* I can't be bothered barely get out of bed in the morning. -- Are you getting 6 hours sleep? Are you spending your time in bed mulling over your problems? Maybe schedule in something at 11am ie a meeting, a walk, a meditation session, to get you out of bed. It doesn't have to be every day but it can be once every 2/3 days. * I'd rather stare at the walls then touch a computer, frankly it's amazing I'm even writing this. -- Not everything revolves around the computer. Go out, go for a walk. Maybe yourself walk for 15 minutes, then 30 minutes. Set up a routine that involves your getting out of the building and somewhere else * There are loads of projects I'd love to work on but any time I have free time I'd rather go grab a pint or just do nothing at all. -- You could be having a creative block. Maybe do something else in relation to your project -- read books over a glass of wine if you need to drink, go out and get coffee to sketch. More to doing projects than being on a computer. * There are big problems to solve at work and in my head and I just can't get the motivation to work on them.

---

Based on this, I don't think you are depressed or burnt out. I think that you are on a creative block!

anon000009• 12 years ago

I am going through exactly the same wave of emotions at this time. I go through them every year or two and eventually it fades away. There`s nothing that triggers them, it is more just something that grows quietly untill it`s too big to ignore.

Every time I`m afraid that it will be permanent, which drives me to do things that are out of my comfort zone. Usually that thing indeed ends up being travel or making plans to travel. I`ve learned to embrace it because it leads to big spurts of innovation and creativity, but eventually that feeling fades away and the whole cycle is repeated.

I haven`t talked with a psych, because it eventually goes away automagically, but I just figured that it probably wouldn`t hurt, so I`m going to make an appointment right now because of this post.

I can only say that I can relate with 90% of what you`ve described. If we`re going through the same emotions, you can be sure it can be diagnosed. Maybe you too should get some closure from a professional.

Good luck!

Am I burned out?

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