What is Burnout?
According to the World Health Organisation, burnout is a syndrome caused by prolonged and excessive workplace stress. It’s marked by mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion, often accompanied by negativity, cynicism, and disconnection from work.
Burnout is not currently classified as a mental disorder — but its effects are real and far-reaching.
Common symptoms include:
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Crippling fatigue
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Brain fog and poor concentration
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Insomnia or panic sensations
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Low mood or depression
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Chronic pain or migraines
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Anxiety and gastrointestinal issues
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Feelings of pointlessness, disassociation, or detachment
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The term burnout was coined by psychoanalyst Herbert Freudenberger, who noticed that exhausted clinic workers mirrored the very addicts they were treating. He described a deep collapse of motivation and energy, where once-passionate people could no longer face their work.
Today, the same dynamic is playing out across modern professions — especially those that run on high pressure and perfectionism.
Who is Most at Risk?
It everybody equally at risk from burnout? It appears not. Gender, culture, disposition, profession and our personal choices all play a part.
What about age?
​Adults in their 20s and 30s are now dubbed the burnout generation. Unlike older generations who stoically endured younger professionals were raised on ideals of passion, purpose, and success.When reality doesn’t match the dream — under rising costs, political instability, and AI-driven change — many experience existential burnout rather than mere fatigue.​
What about gender?
Research shows that women are around 11% more likely to experience burnout than men. Women often internalise stress — showing emotional or physical exhaustion — while men are more likely to withdraw or depersonalise.
However, it’s important to note that most studies use binary gender data, leaving many professionals under-represented. Evidence is slowly emerging - particularly in the medical sector - showing that people who are trans, non-binary, or gender-diverse may face additional pressures — including discrimination, isolation, or the emotional load of managing identity within traditional or conservative workplaces. These factors can significantly increase vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and burnout.
The truth is that burnout is not confined to any gender — it’s shaped by expectations, culture and the environments we work in. Recognising how identity intersects with stress is part of building truly inclusive wellbeing.
Are Lawyers More at Risk of Burnout?
It is perhaps no surprise to learn that lawyers are among the highest-risk professionals for burnout. A
LawCare study (2020–21) found that:
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28% of legal professionals were expected to be available 24/7
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22% felt “unable to cope”
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6% had experienced suicidal thoughts
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A Realm Recruit 2023 survey echoed this:
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57% cited unmanageable caseloads
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42% blamed poor work/life balance
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39% reported toxic management or workplace culture
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It is now being seen as a systemic issue that law firms are increasingly aware of - and putting step in place to address - although perhaps not quickly enough.
It is important not to view burnout issues as a personal failure. It is something that can be navigated, with the right support.
Four Top Tips to Manage Burnout
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Talk to someone
Although it may feel that you are all alone and overwhelmed, sit if you can reach out and talk about how you feel with someone you can trust. Taking fears out of your head and sharing the burden will help you relieve pressure and put things into perspective.
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Start a stress journal
A journal is another way that you can empty your head and express how you feel. This can help you feel calmer and more in control. It is also good to keep a note of your symptoms and grade them. You can also become more aware if your mental health is deteriorating.
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Lifestyle
Choosing healthy options - rehydrate with water rather than caffeine or alcohol (which increase adrenaline and cortisol levels making you anxious and jittery. A walk around the block gives sunlight and vitamin D. This will help calm balance your amygdala (your fear centre.)
04
See a burnout therapist
Should you notice that stress is consistently creeping up or you are more disengaged than engaged at work, make sure to inform your GP how you feel. Perhaps it is time to make an appointment to see a burnout therapist or counsellor and to work through it as a team.
How We Recover
The real difference between burnout and recovery lies not in willpower, but in awareness — how we meet stress when it arrives.
Through CBT and mindfulness, we can learn to respond rather than react, to pause, reset, and choose differently. Over time, these shifts restore energy, focus, and hope.
Why not come and have a chat →