Understanding Burnout: Fatigue, Empathy, and Futility

Burnout manifests through three critical dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a decreased sense of accomplishment. Emotional exhaustion is characterized by fatigue resulting from prolonged care and effort. Depersonalization reflects a depletion of empathy and compassion, leading individuals to feel disconnected from their own emotional responses. Finally, a diminished sense of accomplishment fosters a pervasive feeling of futility, where individuals struggle to perceive the impact of their actions, leaving them disheartened and ineffective.