Risk of burnout syndrome
Dr. Bui Pham Minh Man, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Campus 3, said that while previously burnout often appeared in people who worked for a long time in high-pressure environments, now many young people under 25 years old also fall into a state of exhaustion.
Pressure to succeed early, intense work schedules, fierce competition and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life are causing burnout to spread among many groups of people.
According to modern medicine, burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion due to prolonged work pressure. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes burnout with three main characteristics including loss of energy, reduced work efficiency and negative or distant attitudes towards work.
Biologically, burnout increases the activity of the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal), leading to chronic hypersecretion of cortisol. When cortisol levels remain high for a long time, the body will experience a series of disorders such as imbalance of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, glucose metabolism disorders, hypertension, heart rhythm disorders and immunosuppression.
Brain imaging studies show that burnout may be associated with mild atrophy of the hippocampus and reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex – regions responsible for memory and emotional regulation.
Research published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology in 2021 showed that people with burnout were 2.5 times more likely to develop depression and had a 20-40% increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the group without burnout.
A study at the University of Helsinki also found that burnout significantly increases the risk of metabolic syndrome – a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Symptoms of burnout
From the perspective of traditional medicine, burnout does not have a separate term, but its manifestations correspond to many pathological categories, especially heart and spleen deficiency, liver qi stagnation, and kidney essence deficiency.
Prolonged stress is considered an internal emotional injury, causing the liver qi to stagnate, which over time turns into fire, affecting the heart and kidneys. The Classic of Internal Medicine states that “the five emotions go too far and turn into fire,” meaning that when emotions go too far, they generate fire, causing damage to yin fluid and mental disorders.
Excessive worrying will damage the spleen, causing poor blood and qi biochemistry, leading to mental deprivation, insomnia, memory loss and anxiety. When kidney yin is deficient, liver fire is not controlled, causing palpitations and hot flashes; while kidney yang deficiency will cause fatigue, cold hands and feet and reduced endurance. From there, traditional medicine explains burnout as a result of imbalance of yin and yang, blood and qi and organ function, especially the heart, liver, spleen and kidneys.
The similarities between the two systems of medicine are evident in the fact that both modern medicine and traditional medicine view burnout as a systemic disorder, not just a psychological one. The mechanism of liver qi stagnation and fire in traditional medicine can be related to the state of HPA axis hyperactivity and chronic cortisol elevation.
Heart and spleen deficiency corresponds to autonomic nervous system disorders, decreased nerve conduction and activity in the brain region that controls emotions. Kidney essence deficiency has similarities with the decline in basic energy, endocrine disorders and reduced ability to regulate stress in modern medicine.
How to treat burnout effectively?
In treatment, modern medicine focuses on stress management, lifestyle modifications, and psychological therapies. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients change the way they perceive and react to stress.
Physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week and mindfulness or guided meditation techniques have been shown to reduce sympathetic nervous system activation and improve sleep quality.
Traditional medicine aims to replenish deficiency, regulate qi, calm the mind, strengthen the spleen, nourish the heart, and regulate yin and yang. Guipi thang can be used for both heart and spleen deficiency; Xiaoyao tan is suitable for liver qi stagnation; Liuwei diahuang pill and Bawei guifu pill are used depending on the case of kidney yin deficiency or kidney yang deficiency.
Acupuncture points such as Baihui, Shenmen, Neiguan, Sanyinjiao, Zusanli, Gandu, Pidu and Shendu help regulate the nerves, improve cerebral blood circulation and stabilize emotions.
Gentle exercises, relaxation, 4-period breathing, and head and neck massage also support the recovery process.
Dr. Bui Pham Minh Man noted that any treatment option or practice of a therapeutic nature must have the opinion and monitoring of a specialist to ensure that the treatment is always on the right track.
"Burnout is not simply a temporary fatigue but a complex medical condition that requires a comprehensive approach. Modern medicine provides diagnostic tools, mechanism analysis and psychological therapy, while traditional medicine provides a theoretical system on the imbalance of yin and yang-qi and appropriate adjustment methods. The combination of the two medical systems will bring more comprehensive results, helping to improve symptoms quickly, while strengthening long-term health and preventing recurrence," shared Dr. Bui Pham Minh Man.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/ket-hop-dong-tay-y-trong-dieu-tri-hoi-chung-kiet-suc-nghe-nghiep-post908561.html
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