Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/109462
mental health matters Are You Burning Out? Exhaustion. Disconnection. Days of tedium with no reward. These are symptoms of burnout ��� a serious workplace issue. More than half of Canadians report feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, and up to 20% report full-fledged burnout. Statistics Canada reports that workers who experience constant stress have triple the risk of major depression, and recent Finnish studies tied burnout to cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders and increased long-term sick leaves. Emotional symptoms of burnout include: ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� Pervasive guilt or worry Feeling like you have lost control of your work life Feeling unmotivated, disillusioned or embittered Increased anxiety over social interactions Inability to concentrate on or finish a task Lack of pleasure in activities you used to like Severe irritation over minor issues Inability to recognize or enjoy accomplishment. ��� Changes in eating habits or appetite ��� Exhaustion and/or insomnia ��� Persistent muscle tension in the back and shoulders ��� Frequent illness and missed work days ��� Frequent headaches ��� Stress-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or nausea. performance reviews. reasonable goals. to peers and supervisors to assess your workload, expectations, recognition, opportunities and empowerment. Keep communication constructive, and avoid griping. 5. Continuously develop yourself through professional training. 6. Make a conscious effort to eat well, exercise, be social and relax, and practise good sleep habits. Never cut corners in these areas. Imagine a life where one day you���re feeling on top of the world and the next day you���re wallowing in the depths of depression. This is the kind of emotional rollercoaster that ravages the lives of people with bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive disorder), a long-term mental disorder characterized by extreme mood swings. Bipolar disorder can dramatically affect how a person behaves and functions in daily life, as well as affecting the people around them at home and at work. Typical symptoms of biopolar disorder include: ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� challenged and feeling stressed. 2. Find a mentor who can give you direction, and request regular 4. Be wary of situations with heavy responsibility but no authority. Reach out More Than Just Moody Little need for sleep Poor judgment Poor temper control Lack of self-control Reckless behaviour 1. Concentrate on finding your own perfect balance between staying 3. Be careful of perfectionism. Consider outside benchmarks of success and Physical symptoms of burnout include: ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� Burnout is rarely the result of any one thing. It���s more commonly the cumulative effect of many factors and stressors in your life, at work and at home, and over which you may have varying degrees of control. Here are some tips for dealing with burnout on the job: Extreme mood swings Difficulty in concentrating Loss of self-esteem Increased, loud and quick talking Thoughts of death or suicide Bipolar disorder affects women and men equally, and symptoms usually start between the ages of 15 and 25. The classic signs are periods of ���mania��� (abnormally high irritability or energy levels) followed by periods of depression. There is no defi nitive cause of bipolar disorder. However, there does appear to be a genetic link as people with a family history of bipolar disorder are at greater risk. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder involves a thorough medical history, family history, laboratory tests, a physical exam and a psychiatric evaluation. Early diagnosis is crucial. Bipolar disorder can sometimes be associated with the development of alcohol or drug abuse, marital and work problems, more frequent cycling episodes and even suicide. Bipolar disorder can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment. Certain medications can help stabilize mood and are customized depending on mood swing patterns and the severity of symptoms. Treatment can also include psycho-education, psychotherapy, family therapy and peer group support. Everyone experiences ���moods��� from time to time, but if you or a loved one (especially a teen or young adult in your life) is experiencing wildly fluctuating emotional highs and lows, talk to your doctor. The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. Jim Morrison (1943-1971) Singer-songwriter, The Doors w w w.wellness - mat ters.ca 5