Anya, the Stressed-Out Superstar of Memorial Hospital's ER, leaned against the nurses' station, her scrubs wrinkled and hair disheveled. The relentless beeping of monitors and the constant chatter of the busy emergency room formed a cacophony that mirrored the chaos in her mind.

Glancing at her watch, she realized she was eight hours into what should have been a twelve-hour shift, but would likely stretch well beyond. The board was full, ambulances kept arriving, and she'd lost count of the patients she'd seen since her shift began.

"Dr. Chen? We've got incoming," a nurse called out, her voice tinged with the urgency that never seemed to fade in this place. "Multi-car pileup on the highway. ETA five minutes."

Sarah nodded, taking a deep breath. She was known for her cool head under pressure, her ability to make split-second decisions that saved lives. But lately, that pressure felt less like a catalyst and more like a weight threatening to crush her.

As she moved towards the ambulance bay, her pager buzzed—another code in the ICU. She'd have to juggle that with the incoming trauma cases. It was what she did best, after all. The Stressed-Out Superstar, always rising to the occasion, always pulling through.

The familiar surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins as she heard sirens approaching. There was no time for fatigue, no room for doubt. Lives depended on her being at her best, even if she couldn't remember the last time she felt truly rested.

As the ambulance doors burst open, Sarah steeled herself for another marathon of critical decisions and life-saving interventions. The weight of responsibility settled on her shoulders like a familiar, if unwelcome, friend. Just another day in the life of a Stressed-Out Superstar, where the stakes were always life and death, and there was no room for anything less than excellence.

Sound Familiar?

Hello to you: Anya’s Fellow Stressed-Out Superstar. Plugging away, day by day, with something just beneath the surface that you never quite say: “It hurts…It’s all tangled.” Whatever your industry, the feeling leaves you approaching every problem from every angle all at once; trying to do the impossible.

Let’s take a deep breath together, shall we?

Inhale…

(Look up from the screen)

Exhale…

Feeling a little better already?

Good.

Now, let’s have an honest chat about something that’s been weighing heavily on so many of us: burnout.

As a psychotherapist here at CBH, my fellow mental health providers and I see it all the time—people crawling to session feeling exhausted, detached, and wondering why they can’t seem to muster the energy for things they once loved. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Burnout is real, and it’s more common than ever.

What Exactly Is Burnout?

Burnout isn’t just “having a bad day” or feeling tired after a long week. It’s deeper than that. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. It shows up in three big ways:

You feel completely drained—like your energy tank is permanently on “E.”
You start to feel cynical or detached from your work (hello, Sunday scaries).
Your productivity takes a nosedive because you just can’t focus like you used to (WHO, 2019).

Here’s the kicker: burnout isn’t classified as a medical condition—it’s an “occupational phenomenon.” That means it’s tied to work stress, but if left unchecked, it can spiral into more serious mental health issues like anxiety or depression (WHO, 2019).

Why Is Burnout Everywhere Right Now?

Let’s be real—the past few years have been a lot. The pandemic blurred the lines between work and home, leaving many of us answering emails from our couches at midnight. And while we’ve returned to some sense of normalcy, the pressure hasn’t let up. In fact, burnout has become so widespread that the U.S. Surgeon General recently called workplace well-being a national priority.

Burnout doesn’t just hit one type of person or profession—it’s an equal-opportunity stressor. Here are some examples:

Healthcare Heroes: Studies show that self-efficacy (believing in their ability to handle challenges) and social support are critical in helping healthcare workers avoid burnout (Semantic Scholar, 2023).
Therapists Like Me: Compassion fatigue is real when you’re constantly holding space for others’ pain (Semantic Scholar, 2023).
HR Professionals: Nearly 60% report emotional exhaustion as their biggest challenge (Semantic Scholar, 2023).

How Do We Fight Burnout?

Burnout isn’t a life sentence. There are ways to douse the flames and reclaim your energy and joy:

Set Boundaries: Say no when you need to. Log off at a reasonable hour. Protect your time.
Find Your People: Social support is one of the best antidotes to burnout.
Practice Mindfulness: Even five minutes of deep breathing or meditation can help.
Seek Help When Needed: Therapy/Medication management build resilience so you can thrive again.
Advocate for Change: Push for policies that promote work-life balance and mental health resources.

A Final Word from A Friend

Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak or failing—it means you’re human. And being human means we need rest, connection, and purpose to thrive.

So here’s my challenge to you: Take one small step today toward prioritizing your well-being. Maybe that means unplugging this weekend or reaching out to someone who lifts you up. Whatever it is, remember this—you deserve to feel good about your life and your work.

Let’s keep the conversation going because together, we can turn burnout into something brighter—a spark for change.

At Cornerstone Behavioral Health, we specialize in helping professionals manage burnout through personalized therapy. Our licensed clinicians provide telehealth services across Ohio, making support accessible and convenient for you.

Learn more

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References:

World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases update. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon
PubMed. (2023). Transformational leadership and proactive personality traits during COVID-19 burnout study. PubMed Central. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37165753/
Semantic Scholar. (2023). Burnout among healthcare workers: The role of self-efficacy and social support. Semantic Scholar. Retrieved from https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/8537b490e9687a99ef00b2318b5cf6f033260765

Author:

Caleb Folkerts

LPCC-S, NCC, CMHC, CCTP, CMIP, CDBT

Cornerstone Behavioral Health

As a psychotherapist specializing in compassion fatigue and burnout, Caleb understands just how overwhelming it can feel. But he’s also witnessed the incredible resilience of those who seek support—and he knows that healing is possible. With the right guidance, balance and renewal aren’t just dreams; they’re within reach.