Definition of the manager's syndrome and the main reasons for its formation. Clinical signs of the disease, as well as the main directions in the treatment of this condition. Manager's syndrome is a psychological disorder that is based on professional emotional exhaustion. This condition is also called burnout syndrome or chronic fatigue. Such definitions more accurately describe the nature of the psychological state of a person with this disorder.
Description of manager syndrome
The concept of "manager's syndrome" has been introduced into medical terminology quite recently. This is due to a sharp increase in the number of business people with irregular work schedules, huge responsibilities and many responsibilities. When a profession or occupation takes up too much space in a person's life, and also obliges him to feel constant tension, excitement, or just concentration of attention, this can develop into a manager's syndrome.
The name of this condition defines the profession, which very often suffers from such burnout. The work of managers is usually associated with the coordination of the responsibilities of other people, the analysis of their qualities and great responsibility.
Most often, their schedule is not limited to working hours and takes up most of their free time. Life is fixed around professional worries and problems, so over time it seems to a person that this is the only thing left. The prospect is not so bright for the future, therefore, disappointment in future work, fatigue and powerlessness develop.
Often those people who really need money go headlong into work, and such a lifestyle without rest is the only way out and a forced measure. In other cases, the person is simply trying to chase a career. The almost round-the-clock performance of their duties, according to some, brings them closer to the desired success and professional fulfillment. Unfortunately, the achieved result does not always correspond to what had to be sacrificed.
The pursuit of success is accompanied by a violation of the psychological comfort that a person should feel in the workplace. There is a gradual devaluation of ideals, goals that were relevant at the beginning of a career. Over time, he experiences difficulties in carrying out his own duties and the quality of his work deteriorates significantly.
Causes of manager syndrome
Many employees are exposed to constant harsh working conditions, but not all develop manager syndrome. The selectivity of this disorder is based on the personality traits of individuals. Also, a huge role is played by the conditions in which a person works, the intensity of the load and the responsibility that is assigned.
Causes of manager syndrome:
- Concentration … No matter how many responsibilities there are, a person will not experience difficulties if he does not concentrate. Focusing on one's tasks ensures the maximum return for the worker's productivity. That is why the managerial burnout syndrome is observed only in those who are focused on their duties and are not often distracted. This does not mean at all that you do not need to focus on work, you just need to maintain a psychological distance, separating responsibilities from your own physiological capabilities.
- Work time … For people with this disorder, there is no fixed amount of time in which they perform their professional duties. One of the main causes of burnout syndrome is poor occupational hygiene. If a person begins to transfer his professional tasks to a period of rest, the natural balance is disturbed and fatigue begins to accumulate every day.
- Monotony of work … Sedentary work, which requires perseverance and rather stereotyped tasks, increases the chances of developing this syndrome. The same applies to people who are forced to constantly go on business trips for work. Traveling like this also creates a feeling of monotony and can increase fatigue and mental exhaustion.
- Lack of rest … Lack of sleep or lack of free time to spend with family, friends, or a hobby negatively affects the general condition of an employee who has a rather intense workload. The body simply does not have time to recuperate, to provide cells with all useful substances. In addition, during sleep, long-term memory is formed, therefore, in the case of inadequate rest, forgetfulness, fatigue, and fatigue are characteristic.
- A responsibility … For many people, the biggest burden is simply knowing that they are responsible for doing something right. The assigned responsibility crushes like a heavy burden every day, causing unpleasant associations with the work process. An alarming background is formed, which, if weak in character, can give various psychological breakdowns, including the manager's syndrome.
- Communication … If a person's work is associated with constant conversations with other people, this is also considered a risk factor for the development of burnout syndrome, since there is a constant need to wear a mask of politeness, courtesy, or to keep emotions in oneself.
- Somatic pathology … A decrease in the level of immunity, weakening after a serious chronic illness, or other diseases that complicate the ability to perform their professional duties. They also increase fatigue and reduce overall working capacity.
The main signs of manager syndrome in humans
The manifestations of manager syndrome can differ from person to person. The severity of certain signs is individual and specific. The onset of the syndrome can be observed both after many years of work with great experience, and in a couple of years. The discrepancy between a person's capabilities and the responsibilities that he entrusts to himself can manifest itself at any time, depending on how quickly the psyche and the body are depleted.
Consider what are the main symptoms of manager syndrome:
- Fatigue … It manifests itself both after the end of the work and before it starts. Chronic fatigue is constantly present and is not eliminated by even long-term rest.
- Vegetative dysfunction … The body can respond to this burnout through the autonomic nervous system. Various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract motility, pressure surges and headache reflect the mental state of a person in this case.
- Emotional exhaustion … It becomes very difficult for a person to experience any emotions. That is, there is little that pleases and little that saddens; for the most part, the view changes to a more pragmatic one. It also manifests itself in the absence of facial expressions, inability to express and manifest any feelings.
- Decreased activity … Vigor and ambition are the first traits that are lost in manager syndrome. The ability to work falls significantly, and a person simply mechanically performs the minimum of the work that is entrusted to him.
- Sleep disturbance … Despite a busy working day, it is very difficult for a person to fall asleep at night. On the contrary, drowsiness and weakness overcomes during the day. This is accompanied by a decrease in performance.
- Addiction to alcohol, drugs … The physiological response to mental exhaustion in manager syndrome is to find the most likely solution to the problem. Often this choice falls on drug and alcohol abuse. At the same time, a person receives the necessary dose of "satisfaction" and the opportunity to escape from pressing problems.
- Deactualization … Gradually, a person realizes the uselessness of his profession / position or the responsibilities that are entrusted to him. There is a feeling that all the work does not make sense and is performed mechanically, without bringing the desired result. Enthusiasm fades.
- Refusal … Whenever possible, a person refuses to fulfill those responsibilities that can be shifted to others. Most often they try to get rid of important and responsible tasks. They also refuse the opportunity to make important decisions that can lead to serious consequences.
- Depressive state … Depression is one of the most common symptoms of manager syndrome. Its development is possible some time after the onset of the disorder. Indicates progression and the need for qualified assistance.
- Aggression … Depending on the type of temperament, a reaction in the form of outbursts of rage may also develop. Anger helps to throw out all the discontent and alleviate the condition a little, but this is not permanent. It starts with the usual irritability, bad mood, and then develops into aggression.
- Feeling hopeless … There is a setting for the future in advance of the negative results of their work, the uselessness of everything that happens and the insignificance of their own actions in the development of current events.
Features of the treatment of manager burnout
Unfortunately, there is no one 100% effective therapy that can help get rid of the severe symptoms of this disorder once and for all. Treatment of the manager's syndrome is a laborious and lengthy process that takes place under the supervision of a psychologist. You also need to control the physical aspect of the disorder, so as not to cause the manifestation of psychosomatics.
Psychological treatment
It occupies an important place in the therapy of manager's syndrome. It is a set of consistent attitudes towards improving the situation at work and correcting one's attitude to what is happening. It is best to go with a qualified psychologist who can take into account all the peculiarities, individual traits of a person.
Features of psychological treatment:
- Limitation … Don't assume responsibilities that you shouldn't be doing. You should limit your fields of competence to what you really love and can do. You should get rid of those moments that cause the most intense unpleasant sensations at work. The specifics will help to leave only the pleasant part for you.
- Recreation … Naturally, a short trip, a weekend spent exclusively with loved ones, a trip to the theater, to a concert or to a match will be beneficial. Anything that makes you get new impressions and emotions will help fight the manager's syndrome.
- Care … You need to protect not only your reputation, but also your own comfort. Self-care should be started with small pleasures or pleasures. For example, you can sign up for a massage. For women, the best way out is going to a beauty salon. Let it be just a haircut, but this is a tribute to self-respect. Scented candles, a warm bath after a working day, and a delicious dinner also help. The first thing to remember is that taking care of yourself is an important aspect of being satisfied with your own life. After all, its quality is determined by whether a person can afford to have a good rest, relax, go to spa treatments, or simply make himself happy in any other available way.
Physical treatment
This, by and large, includes the correction of one's own mode of life in order to improve well-being and eliminate the signs of the manager's syndrome. In order to eliminate the symptoms, you need to get rid of those conditions that contribute to their occurrence.
Features of physical treatment:
- Exercise stress … Emotional exhaustion can be found through regular exercise. In the modern world, you can choose any kind of sport that a person would like to do, or just sign up for a gym. The stress on the muscles and joints will help to distract from pressing worries, improve well-being and strengthen the body.
- Layout … Blockages at work should be avoided. Create a calendar or diary to help organize your plans for the coming days. Work should be done gradually and on time without clear deadlines. Scheduling your working hours will help limit your workload and ration your day.
- Don't put off … If possible, you should not take unfinished business home to finish. You cannot steal time for rest from yourself. This will negatively affect both the quality of work and your well-being.
- Dream … High-quality sleep is a guarantee of good mood and energy for the next day. It is necessary to understand the value of each hour and allocate for yourself as much as a particular person needs. For one, 6 hours is the norm, while for others it is a total lack of sleep. Individual rhythms should also be considered. Someone better to go to bed early, and someone to get up later. If a person calls himself an owl, he should shift his working hours a little later so as not to waste precious minutes in the morning. If you are a morning person, you can start work early so you can get home faster.
Prevention of manager's syndrome in humans
An important aspect of every job is the prevention of the development of the manager's syndrome. First of all, it is determined by the choice of profession. She should not only bring the expected income, but also not become a daily punishment for life. If a person loves what he does, he will never work. He will enjoy what he does.
From the very beginning of work, it is not necessary to try with all your might to overfulfill the result. Most often this is done to advance the career ladder or for good bonuses. The fact is that most often the result of a robot determines its quality, but it cannot be hastily obtained.
If in work a person is forced to constantly communicate with other people, to solve problems and conflicts, one should be able to protect his personality from the specialist he is. For example, if a psychologist constantly understands the problems of his clients, he should protect his feelings, beliefs and life from discussion with this patient.
What is manager syndrome - watch the video:
The manager's syndrome or burnout is a rather urgent problem in the modern world. The pursuit of the career ladder, high standards and big demands develop ambition. If you do not adhere to the rules of occupational health, do not know how to manage your own time, the whole meaning of work will be lost along with your professional qualities.
