Burnout: Symptoms & Treatment | Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry

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By Dr. David Woo - February 24, 2025

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often related to work. Recognized as a significant mental health concern, burnout affects millions of people globally, especially in high-pressure environments like New York, where it is a common concern among patients who seek help at Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry. But what is burnout, and how can it be treated? Let’s dive into it and explore burnout symptoms, risk factors, related mental health conditions, and how treatment options like medications and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout, or occupational burnout, is a psychological syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress. While it is not classified as a medical condition, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon with symptoms that can severely impact quality of life (1). Burnout can occur in any occupation—students or artists can be just as affected as corporate executives, laborers, or other professions.

Burnout Symptoms

Common burnout symptoms include:

Physical exhaustion: Feeling tired and drained most of the time.
Emotional exhaustion: Feeling overwhelmed, cynical, or detached from work or personal life.
Reduced performance: Struggling to focus, meet deadlines or complete tasks.
Mental health issues: Increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or hopelessness.
Physical symptoms: Headaches, stomach issues, or sleep disturbances.

The Link Between Burnout And Mental Health Conditions

Studies have shown that burnout symptoms often overlap with symptoms of depression, resulting in a condition called depression burnout, (a combination of burnout and depression) which requires professional evaluation for an accurate diagnosis (2). Antidepressants or drug-free depression treatments may then be prescribed to assist in recovery from depression burnout.

Burnout can also coexist with other mental health conditions, including:

Anxiety: Chronic stress can exacerbate these conditions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Prolonged stress may trigger or worsen post-traumatic symptoms.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Perfectionism and hyperfocus can intensify stress.
Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD): Emotional dysregulation may amplify burnout symptoms.

These conditions can be triggered by burnout, or the stress of living with them while navigating the pressure of professional life can contribute to the burnout itself. Addressing these conditions is critical for effective recovery.

Risk Factors For Burnout

Certain factors make individuals more prone to burnout, including:

Work-related stress: High workloads, lack of control, or toxic workplace environments.
Personal traits: Perfectionism, overcommitment, or difficulty delegating tasks.
Life pressures: Balancing work with caregiving, financial strain, or health concerns.
Mental health conditions: People with anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder may be at higher risk.
Location-based stress: Living in fast-paced cities like New York, where long work hours and high competition are common.

Burnout Prevention Strategies

Preventing burnout involves addressing stressors early and developing healthy habits. As an occupational phenomenon, factors contributing to burnout may be largely out of our control—for example, a toxic or overly exploitative work environment. Nonetheless, if you feel like you may be approaching burnout, the following tips can help to alleviate the stress:

Setting boundaries: Learn to say no and establish a work-life balance.
Prioritizing self-care: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and vacation time.
Time management: Break tasks into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Seeking support: Lean on friends, family, or support groups.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Practices like meditation or yoga can help reduce stress.

How To Recover From Burnout

Recovery is possible with the right steps. But how long does it take to recover from burnout? Depending on the individual and severity, recovery from burnout can take weeks, months, or even years, often requiring a combination of rest, therapy, and support. Steps to recovery include:

Acknowledging the problem: Recognize the signs and take them seriously.
Taking a break: Allow time to rest and recharge.
Exploring new strategies: Adopt healthier work habits and coping mechanisms.
Professional help: Consult mental health professionals for guidance, especially if you experience symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Treatment For Burnout At Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry

Located in the heart of New York, Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry provides expert care for burnout and related mental health challenges. We offer comprehensive services designed to help you regain control and improve your quality of life, including:

Medication management

Medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs can be prescribed to treat underlying issues like anxiety or depression, but they don’t necessarily work for everyone. Our medication management services include regular psychiatric consultations, conveniently available by telehealth, to monitor the effectiveness of your medications, watch for potential side effects, and adjust the drug or dosage for the best experience.

TMS

A non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment for depression, OCD, and other mood disorders, TMS is a drug-free therapy with a high success rate in treating the mental health conditions that can develop alongside burnout.

TMS uses a head-mounted device, sometimes called the “depression helmet” to deliver tiny, barely noticeable electromagnetic pulses to targeted brain areas related to mood regulation. This stimulation helps “reset” the brain’s neural connections, leading to a better, more stable mood that can help you beat burnout.

Get Help For Burnout In New York Today

Burnout can be difficult to deal with, but you don’t have to struggle through it alone. If you or a loved one is experiencing burnout in New York, Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry is here to help.

Contact us online today or call (212) 731-2033 to learn more about our personalized treatment options and take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life.

Sources:

World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International classification of diseases. 2019. Link. Accessed January 27, 2025.
Baptista, M. N., Hauck-Filho, N., & Cardoso, H. F. (2022). The overlap between burnout and depression through a different lens: A multi-method study. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 2022;10,100437. Link. Accessed January 27, 2025.

Dr. David Woo

Dr. David Woo is the owner and head clinical psychiatrist at Madison Avenue TMS and Therapy in New York City. Dr. Woo has been seeing patients in private practice since 2002, always with the goals of combining evidence-based medicine with psychodynamic psychotherapy and collaborating with other mental health professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for his patients. He has been certified to administer TMS at his practice since 2017. His greatest clinical interests include helping patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

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