'Running KPI' makes many young people exhausted, suffering from occupational stress syndrome

Taking a medical history, Ms. M. said that she works an average of 12 hours a day, often bringing work home, even on weekends. Every morning, when she opens her eyes, she sees emails, deadlines, reports, her mind is spinning with KPIs and growth, making her tired and exhausted.

Similarly, Ms. T. (24 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) entered the psychiatric clinic with red eyes, crumpled up a piece of paper in her hand and told resident doctor Pham Van Duong, Tam Anh General Hospital, that she had wanted to end her life many times. Ms. T. used to be an excellent student when she was in school with an admirable record of achievements, agile, active in school movements. After two years of working in the auditing industry, Ms. T. seemed to have become a different person, withdrawn, afraid of interacting with crowds, often tired, and sleepless.

At Tam Anh General Hospital, Ms. T. had a digestive examination, stomach and colonoscopy. The results of the endoscopy, blood tests, CT scans and other organ systems showed that Ms. T.'s health was normal, but based on some other symptoms, the doctor advised her to see a psychologist.

Master - Doctor Pham Van Duong said that both Ms. T. and Ms. M. did not have any serious illnesses. However, both were diagnosed with burnout syndrome - also known as occupational exhaustion.

Ms. T. is currently on unpaid leave for 6 months to treat her mental illness with medication and psychotherapy, and her condition has improved. Dr. Duong advised her to find a job she enjoys. Ms. M. combines medication with regular exercise, turns off her phone, and goes to bed before 10 p.m., and her mental state has improved significantly. Ms. M. rearranges her work, focuses on her work during the day, and does not bring work home.

The results were beyond expectations. Ms. M. was less self-conscious, had time to rest, and no longer felt burdened by work like before.

PHOTO: BVCC

Burnout is more than just normal fatigue.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized burnout as a work-related syndrome in the ICD-11 international disease classification since 2019. Burnout is not simply fatigue but a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion, lasting and accumulating due to occupational stress that is not effectively handled.

Dr. Duong shared that typical signs of burnout syndrome include physical and mental exhaustion, prolonged fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headaches, rapid heartbeat, digestive disorders, and susceptibility to illness. At work, they are easily distracted, easily confused, and have no motivation. In addition, there are negative emotions, separation, depression, apathy, loss of interest in work, and irritability; accompanied by feelings of uselessness or failure because of always feeling inferior, incompetent, and stuck.

According to Dr. Duong, in Vietnam, many young people do not recognize burnout correctly, only thinking "weak" or "not trying hard enough". The basic symptoms are insomnia, irritability, loss of concentration without knowing they have burnout.

Tam Anh General Hospital recorded that in the past 3 months, the number of people coming to the psychiatric clinic increased by 30% compared to the same period last year, of which 2/3 had burnout syndrome and 52% were from Gen Z. There was a case where a group of young colleagues went to the clinic together and 100% of them had burnout syndrome.

Dr. Duong said the main cause of burnout in young people is due to the pressure of achievement, many young people have high expectations for themselves, easily falling into a state of disappointment when they do not achieve their goals. Continuously working overtime, "plowing" culture, working extra hours on weekends, bringing laptops to bed. Highly competitive environment, lack of mental support; imbalance between work and personal life; lack of stress management skills or lack of education about mental health care... are also reasons that cause burnout syndrome.

"Many people think that burnout is because they are 'not strong enough' or 'have to try harder'. But in fact, it is the body and mind's way of sending signals that they are 'overloaded'. Identifying and dealing with burnout early is essential. No one can run a marathon continuously without resting, they need to know when to stop to recharge," Dr. Duong shared.