What Does It Mean to Have 'Burnout'?

Burnout is a term that gets thrown around a lot -- and it's something those with ADHD are more susceptible to. But what exactly IS burnout?

Research for this video provided by: Farah Mahmud

[HowtoADHD]

Brains!! You can now download and try out the Hero's Journal FOR FREE. They're giving away the first 71 daily pages on their website, which covers the introduction content and whole first act :D

[DaleESkywalker]

*Burnout:* Spinning your wheels, producing too much power, and getting nowhere compared to the designed implement.

[Firegen]

Sorry for unrelated but I just want to say a big thank you, Jessica. Without your channel, I think many of us wouldn't have the words or the confidence to say where we struggle. In 6 days I finally get seen for my ADHD after 32 years. Thank you so much for everything you taught me.

[uberrapidash]

Can we talk about burnout *outside* of the workplace? I get burnout just from trying to keep up with the demands of life, and I'm unable to work.

[TwitchingShark]

Been a developer for 20 years. Hit major burnout three times. It's absolutely a real thing and will build up unbreakable walls. I will stare at my computer for hours at a time without a single keystroke. Its like a mental battlefield and you will lose most battles.
Each burnout period took roughly three months for me to break out of and generally cost one job in the process.

I'm currently in my third burnout. And I think this might be my breaking point.
I'm nearing the point of dropping my 20 year career and it breaks my heart.
Burnout will not only affect what is causing the burnout, like a job, but every other aspect of your life.

If anyone else is burnt out and suffering, know you are not alone.

[SpuddMacgyver]

"A mismatch between people and jobs" like being an executive assistant and hate being told what to do. Dealing with customers when I'm an introvert and cherishing peace and quiet yet our store is next to an outdoor restaurant thats always blaring music... I'd say I'm killing it at this burnout thing! 🙄

[TrulyMadlyShallowly]

I've had my first burnout at 25 and it was huge. What confused me, though, was that the narrative then was 'working too hard/perfectionism lead to your burnout'. And I... hadn't been effective. For ages. I didn't work hard that hard, I was actually not very productive. What I was, I now know, was depleted. I'd been trying to climb a wall of awful every day, one that was getting higher and higher because of constant anxious thoughts and guilt and shame. Yes, I had been working - just not at work.

Edit: I've learned. It's happened again, a few times, but never this thoroughly and I feel it coming on, so I can interfere. I wish I'd known what I know now, though.

[kuyaChrischan]

Working as a frontline healthcare professional with ADHD...in the middle of a nursing shortage and pandemic has definitely sped up this burnout. Very easy to get overwhelmed but still feel shame that "I can't handle it". I'm glad I'm not alone no matter what industry one works in. Thank you for talking about this, Jessica

[rantingrodent]

I've been trying to figure out a good early warning system for incoming burnout. After burning out badly twice, I think I've found a pretty good one.

If you are legitimately less effective towards the end of the week and *need* rest on the weekend to get back to productivity on Monday, you are in the process of burning out. As soon as your non-work time is contextualized as something you do to restore your productivity during the week, you're on a collision course with bad times.

[nehamaw]

Desire to curl up and never move...is...so...accurate!

[robinechols]

"Soul sucking despair" lolololol yep. Definite yes.

[adrianneavenicci]

I used to work an office job where I did the work of 2.5 people and had no limit to my workload. I did this for years and was permanently exhausted. I’d stay up too late because I needed recovery time from work, but then would be sleep deprived and existed on coffee. I even had a breakdown at work once. I then ended up with breast cancer at 39. I’m ok now but to this day I swear I pushed my body to it’s absolute limit and nearly paid for it with my health and life. I’m now on a waiting list for adhd assessment and looking back I realise I shouldn’t have been in that type of job because it required me to work so much harder than others due to possible adhd but also because of the workload.

[AWSMcube]

I've been taking the advanced/"gifted" classes in school since I was in Kindergarten and as someone with ADHD, it's disastrous. The problem with a lot of these advanced classes is that it's just more work instead of more learning, which I can't handle. I experienced severe burnout in high school because of this and I ended up switching schools because the school wouldn't change the curriculum

[azteclady]

It's a good video to learn what it is, but employers don't care whether employees burnout. They are convinced there are cheaper labor out there to replace them. Otherwise, bosses wouldn't constantly add responsibilities and projects when someone 'leaves' unto the remaining staff.

[adinashaina]

For anyone wondering what burnout looks like:

Burnout looks like an ADHD child staring off into space, a person whom you cannot get their attention - they don't have any left.

Time to place them in their (previously chosen!) comfort zone with their (again - previously chosen!) comfort tools.

Why? Because you want them to return to you.

But why? Because they need to feel safe enough to return to themselves.

But WHY? if you're still asking maybe you need to consider that you may be an oppressor. Leave their space.

[jasonsteele]

When you list things out, you keep that list on the screen in its entirety, so I don't forget the whole list immediately. I've always appreciated it and never said thanks. So thanks!

[TheInaneAsylum]

I'm a respiratory therapy supervisor in a small hospital. This is exactly what's going on. I thought I was just tired/mentally exhausted, but the other factors you mention absolutely ring true. Thank you so much for all you've done in helping me figure myself out, it is immeasurably appreciated.

[GoADHDGo]

I don’t know what “burnout” means but I really don’t feel like doing any work any more.

[SkilledTadpole]

I watch this as I lay curled up on the couch on my lunch break, undesiring to move and unable to comprehend going back to work. Solid timing, thanks for the upload.

[sarahwillick]

Today’s my first day of freedom from my job as a therapist for an agency that has systemic issues with burning their people out... so this was perfectly timed for me too! Thanks for talking about it in the way that you do for every topic, making it understandable and suggesting what to actually do about it! ❤️