DanielSep 6, 2023

PSA: until you've experienced burnout, you are likely to underestimate how long it takes to recover. It's not a couple of months, it's 6-18 months for partial recovery, and maybe 3 years for full recovery (all depending on how bad it gets). The company burning you out will almost never support your recovery, mostly they'll drop you when you stop being productive.

Nobody in business cares about your health but you, so be your own advocate, or suffer the consequences.

Show threadAreYouDeeWhy
@dznz
I do agree with all you mentioned, but lucky for me, my company did and still does support me.
I may be in an exceptional situation, but after my first burnout, I was very much supported by my company. I broke down on the Thursday before Easter after a health issue with my wife that seemed to be the trigger of something various co-workers had seen coming
Sep 6, 2023 at 1:31pmWeb
Show threadAreYouDeeWhySep 6, 2023

@dznz

My gp kept me home til the end of the week, but on Friday, after a call with a coworker, I sensed I could no longer function normally. I called my hr representative who arranged everything for me.
On Saturday, yes, during the weekend, I was called by another person for more details, and next Tuesday, I had my first meeting with a psychiatrist. My company paid for all the sessions I had.
I did underestimate the problem and went back to work after 2 and a half months.

Show threadAreYouDeeWhySep 6, 2023
@dznz
The conditions were different, though. There were some internal shifts, so I wouldn't be confronted anymore with the sources of my frustrations.
After about a year, I again failed to function, for a lot fewer reasons, and didn’t work for about 9 months, again with psysupport.
.
Show threadAreYouDeeWhySep 6, 2023
@dznz
When I finally returned, we arranged that I now work together with the person who always was my backup. I only communicate with him and my direct co-workers and management.
All involvements with our internal customers and the rest of our company go by him.
It is now my 5th year after my last period out, and it still works well.
I have only 12 months before I'll retire, and I again enjoy my work.
Show threadAreYouDeeWhySep 6, 2023
@dznz
I can not say my burnout is over, I still take my daily anti-depressants and have to watch whichever steps I take.
I just hope that after my retirement, I'll be able to get rid of the medication.