Burnout generation result of social media becoming extension of workplace: Therapists

In a TimeLess Magazine article titled "Minds Turned to Ash" published nearly four years ago, columnist John Cohen explores the global case of burnout. He starts with the story of someone he calls Steve, who is so overwhelmed by the extra hours at work and the burgeoning to-do list that he ends up in therapy.  

Burnout, according to the article, occurs when people find themselves taken over by an internal protest against all demands assailing them from within and without and when the momentary resistance to picking up a glass becomes an ongoing state of mind.

This term was not known before 1974 and it was German-American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger who applied the term to the increasing number of cases he encountered of "physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress".

That article and the mounting evidence from her real-life experience as a therapist is what prompted a four-year study, named "Perpetual Workday" led by Professor Dr Sloe Lee Daah Eeing.

The study spanning continents with over 1.2 million participants was finally wrapped up last week and the findings revealed.

Researchers have come across something extraordinary -- over the last few years, as the first generation of people made themselves comfortable with social media, they quickly turned it into an extension of the workplace.

It all started with which high school people were going to, then soon moved to which college, then which university, and eventually to job updates. People posted their designations, shared content relevant to their workplace designations.

As time went by, and in the almost 20 years social media has been part of our lives, it has upended social norms as we knew it. The older crowd that first shied away from social media also came along onto different platforms. And, very soon, the platform became riddled with co-workers and seniors, where an opinionated comment could draw criticism from the workplace.

"One respondent said he could not use swear words/curse/profanities on social media because his manager shimmied in and gave him an earful when he did use one following an office promotion," said Dr Sloe Lee Daah Eeing while revealing the study findings.

Everyone also feels compelled to remain at their most professional behaviour, or at least continue mingling with colleagues despite the end of the workday which results in delusions.

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