2023-10-10
How to recognize burnout syndrome?
October 10th is world mental health day. In today's society, people are increasingly struggling with tension, anxiety, and exhaustion, and the academic community is no exception. How can you distinguish between mere fatigue and when it becomes burnout syndrome?
We discussed this with Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) psychologist Migle Rudytė.
– How did you decide to pursue a career in psychology?
– I knew very early on what I wanted – I was interested in the inner world of humans. While studying, I discovered the scientific aspect of psychology, which fascinated me then and continues to do so today. Later, during my master's studies, I volunteered at Santaros Clinics, providing emotional support to individuals with oncological diseases.
Currently, I am working at the university, where, in addition to providing psychological counseling to students, I work with students with special needs. Furthermore, the academic environment is very close to my heart. So, the university combines my diverse interests and experiences.
– Do many people seek help at the university? What changes have you noticed during your years of work?
– The younger generation is much more open about their emotional difficulties. They are interested in mental health, talk to each other about it, and share their experiences. Professors play a crucial role because students often mention that a professor noticed their difficulties, inquired about how they were feeling, and that was very important at the time.
I started working during the pandemic when studies were conducted remotely, and that left its mark. For example, most students studied remotely, which meant there were no breaks for socialization. When we had to return to in-person learning, anxiety and stress increased, and adapting once again became necessary.
Of course, the war in Ukraine is one of the biggest shocks. Our context is very close, allowing us to feel everything up close. We have students who come from war zones, where their loved ones are still residing. So, everything hits close to home.
– What would be your main advice to a student wanting to balance their studies and personal life? How to avoid burnout during this challenging autumn period?
– Burnout means that a person is dealing with high levels of stress related to work or studies, and under such stress, routines usually change. People often first give up their free time, further reducing their life satisfaction, while the stress continues to build. It's important to remember that burnout is more than just fatigue; it's not enough to simply rest and sleep.
I mentioned stress for a reason. Overcoming stress is inseparable from time management. Often, we work with students not only to help them plan their time better but also to teach them to assess how much time they can allocate to tasks and what to do if they encounter significant stress, helping them learn how to deal with it.
Some signs that indicate a person should seek help include persistent low mood, difficulty sleeping, and constant anxious thoughts, among others. In other words, it becomes challenging to function in daily life. If this condition persists for an extended period, it's worth seeking help from specialists.
– What is the main principle you follow in your work?
– I always strive to look at the person sensitively and without preconceived notions. This helps me establish a connection with the person and see things from their perspective.
– Thank you for the conversation.
We discussed this with Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) psychologist Migle Rudytė.
– How did you decide to pursue a career in psychology?
– I knew very early on what I wanted – I was interested in the inner world of humans. While studying, I discovered the scientific aspect of psychology, which fascinated me then and continues to do so today. Later, during my master's studies, I volunteered at Santaros Clinics, providing emotional support to individuals with oncological diseases.
Currently, I am working at the university, where, in addition to providing psychological counseling to students, I work with students with special needs. Furthermore, the academic environment is very close to my heart. So, the university combines my diverse interests and experiences.
– Do many people seek help at the university? What changes have you noticed during your years of work?
– The younger generation is much more open about their emotional difficulties. They are interested in mental health, talk to each other about it, and share their experiences. Professors play a crucial role because students often mention that a professor noticed their difficulties, inquired about how they were feeling, and that was very important at the time.
I started working during the pandemic when studies were conducted remotely, and that left its mark. For example, most students studied remotely, which meant there were no breaks for socialization. When we had to return to in-person learning, anxiety and stress increased, and adapting once again became necessary.
Of course, the war in Ukraine is one of the biggest shocks. Our context is very close, allowing us to feel everything up close. We have students who come from war zones, where their loved ones are still residing. So, everything hits close to home.
– What would be your main advice to a student wanting to balance their studies and personal life? How to avoid burnout during this challenging autumn period?
– Burnout means that a person is dealing with high levels of stress related to work or studies, and under such stress, routines usually change. People often first give up their free time, further reducing their life satisfaction, while the stress continues to build. It's important to remember that burnout is more than just fatigue; it's not enough to simply rest and sleep.
I mentioned stress for a reason. Overcoming stress is inseparable from time management. Often, we work with students not only to help them plan their time better but also to teach them to assess how much time they can allocate to tasks and what to do if they encounter significant stress, helping them learn how to deal with it.
Some signs that indicate a person should seek help include persistent low mood, difficulty sleeping, and constant anxious thoughts, among others. In other words, it becomes challenging to function in daily life. If this condition persists for an extended period, it's worth seeking help from specialists.
– What is the main principle you follow in your work?
– I always strive to look at the person sensitively and without preconceived notions. This helps me establish a connection with the person and see things from their perspective.
– Thank you for the conversation.
You can contact VILNIUS TECH psychologist Migle Rudytė via email at crypt:PGEgaHJlZj0ibWFpbHRvOm1pZ2xlLnJ1ZHl0ZUB2aWxuaXVzdGVjaC5sdCI+bWlnbGUucnVkeXRlQHZpbG5pdXN0ZWNoLmx0IDwvYT4=:xxor by phone at +8 688 64 007.
Interview conducted by Simona Uksaitė, External Communication Projects Manager at VILNIUS TECH.
Photo by Aleksas Jaunius.