Burnout Syndrome In Teachers, What Is It?

Stress is one of the most serious problems in today’s society. Almost all of us feel stressed in a more or less habitual way and, although we have come to accept it as a normal condition, in the long run it causes many problems. One of the most common nowadays is the burnout syndrome  in teachers or “burned teachers”.

This is a particularly serious issue, given the high incidence in the world of teaching and the consequences on the education of our children.

In this article, we give you more information on Burnout Syndrome , its characteristics, causes and how to prevent it, whether you are a teacher or parent of a child or school-age boy.

What is Burnout Syndrome in Teachers?

Burnout syndrome arises as a result of wear and tear in the workplace. Sufferers have high levels of constant stress, and gradually accumulate mental, emotional and physical fatigue. The consequences are a growing lack of interest in work and intense suffering.

The “burnt teachers” syndrome is a variant of Burnout. The new challenges and difficulties in the educational field, together with the loss of authority of the professors and the restlessness of the students, sometimes cause dissatisfaction in the educator who accuses various symptoms related to stress.

In most cases , discontent arises from the difference between expectations, the idea that one has about teaching and the clash with reality. This discrepancy can take the form of a cognitive dissonance and open the door to burnout syndrome in teachers.

How to recognize it?

Common Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome

1 – Emotional exhaustion

One of the main indicators of the problem is the strong and prolonged feeling of “can’t do it anymore”. As with other stress syndromes, also in this case the emotions are out of control and one feels sad, tired, listless.

This state can lead to physical problems, such as insomnia, migraines, or intestinal disorders. The solution, however, should not be sought in the body, but in an altered emotional state.

2. Poor personal fulfillment

If one of the main causes of burnout syndrome in teachers is the inability to work as they would like, the most obvious effect is a strong dissatisfaction with their work. This state results in a sense of defeat, failure, helplessness and inability to manage the classroom.

The feeling of failure can spread like wildfire into other areas of life, affecting personal relationships and the teacher’s daily life.

3 – Depersonalization

Because one of the effects of Burnout is feeling helpless and useless, sufferers tend to withdraw into themselves and lose interest in work. Passion disappears to give way to mechanical gestures, in a vicious circle that leads to being worse and worse.

How to deal with the problem?

Burnt Teacher Syndrome is a serious problem that worsens the quality of teaching and the teacher’s personal life. How to intervene?

• If you are a teacher and experience one or more symptoms, a useful strategy is to adopt a good technique for managing stress. Among the most effective are mindfulness or progressive muscle relaxation. If the problem is out of control and you are feeling overwhelmed, the support of a psychologist is of great help.

• Even a parent can make a small contribution, trying to facilitate the educational task of the teaching staff. After all, raising children is everyone’s responsibility.

Not only is the work to be done on teachers who have entered this vicious circle of stress important, but also prevention. In this sense we are all involved as a society, teachers by profession and not.