Life as a dad can be grueling at times and burn out may be closer than you think. Check out this list of the common signs of burnout based on the Understanding and Addressing Burnout paper by Jonathan Gaston, Clinical Psychologists, Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit, 2005.

PHYSIOLOGICAL

• fatigue
• insomnia
• headaches
• gastrointestinal disturbances
• greater frequency and severity of physical illness

EMOTIONAL

• depression, apathy, disinterest, helplessness
• anxiety
• irritability and anger
• frustration, demoralisation
• sudden mood changes
• dread of coming to work

COGNITIVE

• cynicism toward clients, co-workers and the organisation (reduced expectations)
• intellectualisation of situations
• (cognitive) withdrawal from colleagues and clients
• decreased job satisfaction
• questioning of care suitability

BEHAVIOURAL

• taking excessive risks
• excessive use of humour about work
• avoiding other staff
• frequent complaining about job
• absenteeism
• increased drug and alcohol consumption
• nonverbal anger (e.g slamming, tossing etc..)
• clock watching

It is important to emphasise that to qualify as burnout, we are talking about the persistence of these symptoms over a significant period of time, rather than simply having a bad day or bad week.

ACTION
If you  feel you are burning out you should seek out some help from either a friend, doctor or psychologist

Find a psychologist in your area

http://www.psychology.org.au/FindaPsychologist/Default.aspx?ID=1204?

For online parenting counseling

http://www.parentsonline.com.au/

Other support services

http://www.beyondblue.org.au

www.lifeline.org.au

www.headspace.org.au

www.parentline.com.au