The syndrome that forced Sandra Bullock to take a break

Un unexpected break
A pause to be with her family
Non-stop working for thirty years
Burnout syndrome
It was time for a break
Unsure when she'll return
It can happen to anyone
Recognized by WHO
Included in the International Classification of Diseases
Mental and physical block
Burnout syndrome: symptoms and treatment
Symptoms
It should be taken seriously
It affects your environment
Diagnosis
Normalizing mental health
What levels of burnout are there?
Four levels of burnout
There are ways to treat it
Taking a break from work
Slowly feeling better and overcoming the disease
Step by step
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Un unexpected break

As she promoted her movie 'The Lost City,' a hilarious epos with Channing Tatum as its co-star, Sandra Bullock surprised everyone, announcing she was taking a break from acting.

A pause to be with her family

She explained her decision to The Hollywood Reporter: "I take my job very seriously when I'm at work. It's 24/7 and I just want to be 24/7 with my babies and my family."

Non-stop working for thirty years

Sandra Bullock has been constantly working in the movie industry for more than 30 years. The level of psychological stress she experienced during that time has led her to an issue many workers struggle with: burnout.

In the picture, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey in 'A Time to Kill' (1996).

Burnout syndrome

This syndrome or physical state is caused by high levels of stress experienced in the workplace.

It was time for a break

In Sandra Bullock's case, she came to a point where "I'm so burnt out. I'm so tired, I'm so not capable of making healthy, smart decisions and I know it." So, before collapsing, she decided to take a step back.

Unsure when she'll return

In 2022, the actress said she was not sure when she would be returning: "I don't know (for how long), I don't know. Until I don't feel like I feel now when I'm in front of a camera."

It can happen to anyone

Burnout is not something exclusive to Hollywood's crazy schedules and workload. This syndrome affects millions of people in any business or industry.

Recognized by WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized burnout as a syndrome that causes many health problems and whose origin is related to work stress.

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Included in the International Classification of Diseases

In fact, in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases, burnout has officially been included.

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Mental and physical block

People suffering from burnout are unable to perform normally in their jobs, because, when facing high levels of stress, their systems react by blocking their minds and bodies.

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Burnout syndrome: symptoms and treatment

To really understand burnout syndrome, we need to know what it is, what the symptoms are, how we can identify it, and how we treat it.

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Symptoms

There are three main symptoms of burnout: emotional and physical exhaustion (extreme fatigue); feeling detached from reality (mood and behavioral changes); and being less productive (unable to complete simple tasks).

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It should be taken seriously

The disease can also be the root of other symptoms: low self-esteem, feeling uneasy, lack of concentration, headaches, tachycardia, insomnia, impatience, or deficient communication.

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It affects your environment

Living under that amount of stress without tackling the problem will submerge you in a pool of negative energy which could end up affecting your family, work, and personal relationships. It creates a vicious circle.

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Diagnosis

The diagnosis of burnout syndrome must be carried out by psychologists and psychiatrists. They will identify if the patient's symptoms are caused by stress or any other reason.

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Normalizing mental health

Luckily, nowadays, asking for the help of a mental health professional is no longer a big taboo. Visiting a therapist is something that people are normalizing.

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What levels of burnout are there?

Thanks to the different tools used by psychologists and psychiatrists, they are able to determine which level the patient is at. Sometimes, just asking the right questions will do.

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Four levels of burnout

Light burnout: light tiredness, not feeling like doing anything

Moderate burnout: negativity makes you unsure about everything in your life

Severe burnout: substance consumption and deterioration of relationships

Extreme burnout: negative thoughts, even considering taking your own life

 

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There are ways to treat it

Since burnout can get to a scary point, it's essential to accept the help of a professional. The sooner, the better.

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Taking a break from work

Ideally, taking a break and spending time with friends and family in a calm and safe space would be a great first step. Unfortunately, not everyone is as privileged as Sandra Bullock, and taking a break from your job may not be an option.

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Slowly feeling better and overcoming the disease

Most people are able to overcome the syndrome by getting the right help. A psychologist will give you the guidelines you need to get well, slowly but surely.

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Step by step

People in a state of burnout are advised to be more self-aware, make changes (if possible) in their work environment, take up some healthy habits, and, if prescribed by a professional, take anti-depressants.

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Cognitive behavioral therapy

Every recommendation and step to get better must be accompanied by cognitive behavioral therapy. This will ultimately be your guide on the path to overcoming burnout.

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