Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Podiatric Medicine,
Surgery & Biomechanics
College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University of
Health Sciences,
St. Pomona, CA

Stop Year-End Burnout

It's that time of the year again...the end. In these last few weeks of the year, many of us suffer from an, unfortunately, too common disease: Year-End Burnout. This is a disorder most of us ignore during the year until the signs and symptoms become overwhelming. At the end of the year, we have the holiday parties and the secret santas, along with our full personal lives and responsibilities, all on top of our busy practices with patients trying to schedule that year-end surgery before they have to start paying their deductible again.

Before you know it you've caught Year-End Burnout.

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Here are some suggestions for diagnosing and treating job burnout:

Recognize it's there. Here are some questions to ask when obtaining a detailed history on a patient with Year-End Burnout syndrome, taken from the Mayo Clinic's website:¹

Have you become cynical or critical at work?
Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started once you arrive?
Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients?
Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?
Have your sleep habits or appetite changed?
Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, backaches or other physical complaints?

Understand the differential diagnosis. Some of the above symptoms may also be present in other medical disorders. These includes depression and hypothyroidism.

Appreciate the etiology. This may come from excessively long work hours and the realization that you've worked yourself to the bone.

Keep things in perspective First, remember that there are many people in the world in a much less pleasant situation than yourself. Then recall you actively pursued your career and, at least for most of the year, love what you do. Keep in mind that your family is the most important thing, they love you, and you love them.

Take care of yourself first. Take the time to exercise and sleep well and long enough. Remember, if you don't have your health then what do you have?

Try these simple steps and you too can prophylax against Year-End Burnout syndrome. And if none of these work there's always Prozac! Happy holidays.