Chronic Illness and Burnout

Even if you have had your chronic illness for a short period of time, you have likely already experienced burnout. Burnout comes from the stress and overwhelm of dealing with your condition, whether it's having to constantly focus on doctors' appointments and medications and therapies, to being in extreme pain, to a lack of energy and overall exhaustion.

Here are some things to know about burnout with your chronic illness, and what you can do about it.

The Effects of Burnout

The first thing to know about burnout is actually to how to spot it. If you haven't experienced this before, or haven't acknowledged it, you might assume these symptoms are related to something else. Some common symptoms of burnout include:

• Being so exhausted you can barely move your body

• Feeling helpless and hopeless

• Having no interest in anything, including things you used to enjoy

• Continually missing deadlines and appointments

• Preferring to be isolated from other people

• Having a level of emotional detachment from others

• Intentionally skipping medical appointments

Why Burnout is So Common Among Chronic Illness Sufferers

The reason so many people with chronic illness or pain end up with burnout is because of how time-consuming, overwhelming, and stressful living with this type of illness can be. Chronic illness takes a lot out of you, and requires so much time and energy. Your body is exhausted, and your mind gets run down, too.

You go from living a normal, busy life, to suddenly everything around doctor appointments, pharmacy visits, medication schedules, advocating for yourself, and of course the pain and exhaustion you feel on a daily basis. It is like having a second job, and it can be overwhelming, to say the least.

What You Can do about Burnout

Now that you understand what burnout it and why you might get it, it's time to figure out what exactly you can do about it. Luckily, there are not only ways to manage it, there are also ways to prevent it in the future. If you are showing signs of burnout, the first thing to do is take a step back and rest. Find a way to either take time off work, or ask someone for help so you aren't taking everything on yourself.

It's also a good time to talk to your doctor and possibly even a therapist. Your treating doctor has been with your during your chronic illness process, so they are a good person to go to, and they should be able to guide you in the right direction.

Be honest with yourself about how burnout happened, and whether or not you might be pushing yourself a little too hard. Offer yourself some grace. We often live in denial when we get diagnosed with a chronic illness, and ignore the signs of needing rest.

Try this things:

• Ask your doctor(s) for some guidance on overcoming the burnout from your chronic illness

• Reflect on what happened to cause the burnout, being honest with yourself

• Start a journaling habit

• Work to know and understand yourself better

• Talk to a therapist

• Take a soaking bath with bubbles or a bath bomb, some relaxing music, and low light

• Read self-help books that can help alter your mindset

• Start practicing yoga, preferably with some instruction

• Try meditating or deep-breathing daily to help bring yourself into your body

• Schedule dates with yourself to focus on your interests and hobbies

• Remember that you are not your chronic illness