This article is written by Natalie Dinnick, Wellbeing Officer and Mental Health Network Lead, Companies House.

  • The problem: Not knowing the signs of burnout can lead to real problems. My role as wellbeing officer has made me realise burnout is more common than some of us realise.
  • Why it matters: Burnout is becoming an increasing problem for organisations. It’s not just a cost to individuals’ health, but the survival of organisations.
  • The solution: Make people a priority. Create psychological safety and listen and take action – don’t wait for things to reach breaking point.

I recently read a report that stated that 70% of employees have experienced burnout in the last year. As someone who has experienced burnout myself, I felt shocked and saddened to hear this. However, it motivated me to write this article in an attempt to reduce this figure by sharing my “precautionary tale”.

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As difficult as the experience was, I believe it changed my life for the better. I learned incredibly valuable lessons and developed a new career path. I am sharing my story to demonstrate to you that you can recover if you reach burnout. Or even better, prevent it from ever happening to you.

I feel my burnout experience has given me a passion for my role and wellbeing generally.

My burnout was caused by a multitude of reasons – problems at home and lots of change and a heavy workload. I felt unable to confide in anyone for fear of looking weak and thinking, “everybody else can cope; I need to just get on with things.”

At first, I didn’t realise what I was experiencing were burnout symptoms, but there were clear signs:

  • Sleeplessness and constant exhaustion.
  • A permanent knot in my stomach and shortness of breath
  • Loss of appetite (but I ate junk food for comfort or because I felt I didn’t have time to cook!)
  • I lost interest in everything I previously enjoyed, including shopping and socialising (so withdrew)
  • I overexercised to try and reduce my stress, but it had the opposite effect as my cortisol and adrenaline were already high.

I ignored all these signs for months until finally, I reached breaking point.

Complete burnout – the final phase

One ordinary Wednesday, I was given a task that I felt could not be done in the time given. I felt totally overwhelmed. I tried to type an email, but the words wouldn’t come. My fingers froze over the keyboard. It was as if the “off switch” activated in my brain.

I walked away from my desk and bumped into a friend who asked if I was OK. I broke down in tears and replied, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

She was the first person to help, suggesting I go home, rest, and see a doctor.

Back home, once the tears started they wouldn’t stop. My daughter rang my mum, who immediately drove me to my GP. Unfortunately, I saw an unsympathetic GP who threw some anti-depressants at me without explanation and simply said, “These will make you feel better.”

Panic attack

When I realised that I had been given anti-depressants, I felt frightened and had a severe panic attack. I collapsed on the kitchen floor and then slept for hours and hours.

This was burnout. My mind and body ground to a halt.

Over the following weeks, I suffered extreme anxiety and depression. I eventually started the medication and, within a month, started to feel a little better. I had eight weeks’ sick absence, but it wasn’t just the time off work and medication that helped me recover. I realised that I needed to start looking after myself and went on a self-care mission.

Fortunately, I received counselling through work, attended a mindfulness course, meditated daily, read self-help books and made eating well, rest and exercise my priorities. I started gently with exercise because I was so exhausted. Yoga and swimming got me through initially, but now I am able to embrace it all – dance, boxing and weight training.

Great support

As my health improved, I made two important discoveries. Firstly, that I had been ignorant of the danger signs of burnout, and secondly, I found great support from my colleagues and organisation.

When I returned to work, I made it my mission to educate my colleagues. I became a Time to Change Champion and encouraged my employer to sign the Time to Change Wales Employer Pledge.

Mental health advocates at Companies House

I established a group of employee champions which evolved to become our now thriving Companies House Mental Health Network.

I am hugely proud of our work to educate and raise awareness, and have witnessed positive culture change over the last few years.

Three years ago, I successfully applied for the Wellbeing Officer role at Companies House, which I love. I feel my burnout experience has given me a passion for my role and wellbeing generally.

Support

If you feel this article resonates with you or someone you know please reach out to your manager or if your organisation has mental health first aiders or an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), even your GP.

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(Image credit: Unsplash)