On January 26, 2024, as part of activities of National Chapter WiN Tajikistan on the exchange of knowledge and experience, a lecture was held on the topic “Emotional Burnout Syndrome.” The speaker was Nigora Abidzhanova, head of Branch/Country representative of Tajikistan ICAP Global Health, Ph.D. 

Nigora Abidzhanova noted that Herbert Freudenberger first used the term “emotional burnout” in 1974 in New York. It all started with an article that was published in the 1970s in the Journal of Social Issues. He was the first man used the term “burnout,” and in 1974 he wrote the book Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement. Freudenberger originally applied this term to people who worked in the field of social assistance: nurses, teachers, and social workers. 

“Emotional burnout” is a state of physical, emotional, mental exhaustion; it is a psychological defense mechanism developed by the individual in the form of complete or partial exclusion of emotions in response to traumatic influences. “Burnout” -  is a response to chronic emotional stress.

During the lecture, factors were touched upon that can lead to emotional burnout:

- economic problems;
- social and psychological problems;
- lack of conditions for professional growth;
- an increase in overall working experience leads to a decrease in psychological and physical health.
“Burnout doesn't happen suddenly. This is a process that develops over time,” -Nigora Abidzhanova emphasized.

The first stage is forgetting some points, lapses in memory (for example, whether the necessary entry was made or not in the documentation). 
At the second stage, there is a decrease in interest in work, the need for communication (including at home, with friends); reluctance to see those with whom the specialist communicates by occupation (clients, patients, schoolchildren).
The third stage is personal burnout itself. Characterized by a complete loss of interest in work and life in general, emotional indifference, a feeling of constant lack of energy.
 

Along with the causes of emotional burnout, measures to prevent it were also discussed - it is important to remember that work is only part of life and its needed  to find a balance between work, family, friends and health!