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TAKE THE QUIZWritten by Margie Ireland: Leadership Psychologist, Author and Speaker
Burnout can easily be confused with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, as both conditions share common signs such as fatigue, mood swings, and decreased confidence. Understanding the differences between them is important to get the right help. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies three main characteristics of burnout, and recognising these can help distinguish it from menopause-related changes.
1. Exhaustion or Energy Depletion
The first sign of burnout is constant fatigue or physical exhaustion. You might feel tired even after a good night’s sleep, or find it hard to muster the energy to complete tasks. Menopause, especially perimenopause, can cause similar symptoms due to hormonal changes and sleep disruptions caused by night sweats. However, burnout-related fatigue is generally linked to chronic workplace stress. If your exhaustion feels tied to work, burnout might be the culprit, while menopause tends to affect energy levels across all areas of life.
2. Mental Distance from Work or Increased Cynicism
Another key sign of burnout is becoming emotionally detached from work. You might feel negative, cynical, or lose motivation to perform your duties. In menopause, mood swings and irritability can also cause emotional changes, but these shifts are more likely to be related to hormonal fluctuations and affect a broader spectrum of life, not just work. If your emotional distance seems to stem primarily from job-related stress or a lack of satisfaction in your role, it may be burnout.
3. Reduced Professional Efficacy
The third characteristic of burnout is a sense of ineffectiveness in your job. You may feel that no matter how hard you try, you aren’t meeting expectations, leading to self-doubt. Menopause can also cause a drop in confidence, especially as women experience physical and cognitive changes like brain fog. The difference lies in the context: burnout reduces your sense of accomplishment in work, while menopause-related confidence dips are often tied to physical and emotional transitions happening across your life.
How to Determine if It’s Burnout
If your fatigue, mood changes, and reduced confidence are primarily linked to work, it’s likely you’re dealing with burnout. However, if these symptoms affect more than just your professional life and coincide with changes in your menstrual cycle, weight, or sleep, menopause might be the cause.
What to Do About Burnout
If you suspect burnout, it’s important to address it before it worsens. Start by assessing your workload and consider setting boundaries or taking time off. Speak to a manager or HR to explore solutions, such as delegating tasks or seeking support through an Employee Assistance Program. Additionally, focus on self-care strategies, including regular exercise, mindfulness, and maintaining a healthy sleep routine.
If your symptoms seem to overlap with menopause, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional to ensure you’re managing both issues appropriately. Burnout and menopause are both challenging, but with the right support, you can navigate these transitions effectively.
Recently WellFemme’s Dr Kelly sat down with Margie and discussed:
-What is Burnout?
-How do you recognise it?
-Crossover of symptoms with those of menopause, and
-How to manage Burnout
Register below to watch “Is this Menopause or Burnout?”:
Margie Ireland is a Leadership Psychologist, Author and Speaker, who launched The Happy Healthy Leader in 2016 after her extensive dissertation research where she identified a significant decline in well-being and performance for Executive Leaders between the age of 35-55, following the Global Financial Crisis.
Margie assists CEOs & MDs, in identifying risks in themselves and others that may impact the organisation. She provides them with a comprehensive understanding of necessary changes and how to implement them, thereby helping to avoid liabilities and achieve better results.
Margie can be contacted at www.margieireland.com. Margie also provides a free screening tool to help identify whether you might be in Burnout: https://margieireland.com/are-you-feeling-burnout-corporate/
Dr Kelly Teagle is a GP in Canberra specialising in Women’s health. She worked in the RAAF as a Medical Officer until 2010, then became a General Practitioner and completed further studies and work in reproductive and sexual health. Dr Teagle is the Founder and Principal of WellFemme Women’s Health Services. She also writes blog articles and is a women’s health speaker.
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