More run risk of burnout

PATIENTS are presenting to Tasmanian general practitioners with burnout-related issues daily.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Tasmania chair Dr Tim Jackson brought the issue to light after Premier Peter Gutwein’s recent hospitalisation due to burnout.

Mr Gutwein fell ill at work a week ago and was rushed to hospital to undergo tests. He had worked 46 days straight to deliver the state budget and manage the Covid-19 response, with his results indicating he had a clean bill of health, but was just exhausted.

Mr Gutwein has since dropped his climate change and tourism portfolios to focus on the state’s pathway out of the pandemic and the economic rebuild.

“Burnout is very common for GPs to see … whether it’s teenagers facing exam pressure, parents at home with young children, or separation from family and friends due to the pandemic,” Dr Jackson said.

“I am very glad (Peter Gutwein) is OK and out of hospital and that he is leading by example in our need to look after our mental health.”

Signs that you are headed for burnout include feeling increasingly anxious or depressed, sleeping trouble, decreased mental agility, a short temper, not being able to switch off and turning to alcohol and drugs to self-medicate, Dr Jackson said.

If signs of burnout are left untreated, they can lead to further medical problems.

“Burnout produces stress hormones and one of those is adrenalin, which puts up your pulse and blood pressure,” Dr Jackson said.

“That’s fine if you are a caveman and are trying to run away from a sabre tooth tiger but long-term, it can do damage,” he said.

“Continued high levels of stress affects your immunity too. You are more likely to develop immune problems and become unwell.”

With the increasing pace of modern society and the perpetual barrage of stimulation form social media use, it has become essential to make time to switch off and recharge.

“We really need to organise downtime to relax. Time off social media time, time to exercise, time to get back to nature,” Dr Jackson said.