Burnout in Churches and Christian Faith-Based Organisations
Burnout is a “syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with people in some capacity (Maslach 1996:193). This definition, whilst helpful, fails to convey the potentially life-shattering impact that burnout can have, as described in the words of ‘Peter’, a Christian leader who contributed to this guidance.
Burnout is a “syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with people in some capacity (Maslach 1996:193).
This definition, whilst helpful, fails to convey the potentially life-shattering impact that burnout can have, as described in the words of ‘Peter’, a Christian leader who contributed to this guidance.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)<br />
(DSM-III 1980s)<br />
Stuck <strong>in</strong> trauma memories <strong>and</strong> reliv<strong>in</strong>g the horror,<br />
even when it has passed.<br />
<strong>Burnout</strong><br />
(Maslach 1970s)<br />
Related to occupational processes/daily gr<strong>in</strong>d<br />
of prolonged stress that can occur <strong>in</strong> any<br />
profession.<br />
• Nightmares<br />
• Disturbed sleep due to <strong>in</strong>trusive <strong>and</strong> unpleasant<br />
thoughts<br />
• Insomnia<br />
• Emotional outbursts <strong>and</strong> unable to cope with<br />
heightened emotions<br />
• Quick mood changes<br />
• Triggered by memories of the event which<br />
causes overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g emotions<br />
• Hypervigilant – be<strong>in</strong>g more ‘jumpy’ as feel on<br />
the alert of someth<strong>in</strong>g happen<strong>in</strong>g<br />
• Preoccupied with the trauma/complete<br />
avoidance of any rem<strong>in</strong>ders<br />
• Obsessive <strong>and</strong> compulsive behaviours<br />
• Us<strong>in</strong>g food, drugs, or alcohol to cope<br />
• Withdraw<strong>in</strong>g from responsibilities<br />
• Loss of motivation <strong>and</strong> vision<br />
• Sense of failure <strong>and</strong> self-doubt<br />
• Detachment/feel<strong>in</strong>g alone <strong>and</strong><br />
disconnected from others <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
those who work with<br />
• Decreased satisfaction <strong>and</strong> sense of<br />
accomplishment<br />
• Procrast<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> slower at gett<strong>in</strong>g<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs done<br />
• Skipp<strong>in</strong>g work or com<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> late <strong>and</strong><br />
leav<strong>in</strong>g early<br />
• Us<strong>in</strong>g food, drugs, or alcohol to cope<br />
• Impend<strong>in</strong>g doom<br />
• No sense of feel<strong>in</strong>g safe <strong>and</strong> the world is a<br />
dangerous place<br />
• Negative thoughts about self, other people, or the<br />
world<br />
• Hopelessness about the future<br />
• Memory problems<br />
• Inability to concentrate<br />
• Poor judgment<br />
• See<strong>in</strong>g only the negative<br />
• Anxious or rac<strong>in</strong>g thoughts<br />
• Constant worry<strong>in</strong>g<br />
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