BURNOUT

WHAT IS IT?


Burnout often affects individuals who were previously highly motivated but have become overwhelmed.
Burnout is distinct from depression, though severe burnout can increase the risk of depression.

Seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness, it is a form of medically recommended self-care and an important step toward recovery.

Psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and schema therapy remain the most effective interventions for burnout and related conditions.

  • The World Health Organization defines burnout in ICD-11 as follows: “Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy. Burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

    Burnout is often linked to long-term stress, especially from work, however we believe it can affect all parts of your life, not just your job.

  • Burnout can affect anyone, this part of our initiative helps you:
    • recognize the signs,
    • understand what causes exhaustion,
    • find gentle ways to restore your energy and motivation,
    • seek support

  • Before starting psychological treatment, it is essential that a GP rules out possible physical causes of symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, anaemia, or sleep apnoea.

    It is also important to recognise that many “quick fixes” for burnout put all the responsibility on the individual, while ignoring things like workload or workplace culture. This can make people feel it’s their fault and delay them from getting the right professional support.

While retreats, wellness apps, and lifestyle changes can offer temporary relief, they are not a substitute for evidence-based treatments.

Connect with others through our CHAT


Around 1 in 5 employees in the Netherlands experiences burnout-related symptoms, highlighting the growing importance of mental health and sustainable working conditions.

Among male employees (ages 15–74), 18.2% experience burnout symptoms, compared with 22.2% of female employees.

For self-employed men (15 and older), 11.8% report burnout symptoms, while the figure for self-employed women is 11.7%.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) presents recent data from the Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research ( TNO) with show that burnout remains a significant issue in the Dutch workforce.

    In 2024, 20.1% of employees aged 15 to 74 reported burnout complaints. Among the self-employed, 11.8% reported burnout symptoms in 2025. These figures come from the National Working Conditions Survey (NEA) and the Self-Employed Working Conditions Survey (ZEA).

    Within these surveys, burnout complaints are defined as work-related psychological fatigue, referring to ongoing mental exhaustion caused by work.

  • People with stressful jobs are much more likely to say that workplace stress-relief measures don’t do enough. Almost half of them feel the current support isn’t enough, and 22% say there’s no help available at all. By comparison, among all workers, 28% think the support isn’t good enough, and only 10% say there’s none.


  • The Outlook for the next 5 years ( 2024) according to CBS shows many workers, especially those in stressful jobs, expect to feel less satisfied with their work.
    Overall, the future looks tougher, with more pressure and less happiness at work, especially for those who are already feeling stressed.

  • National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) presents recent data - 2024

Neo Mind exists to create space for awareness, prevention and support for those who feel current (workplace) stress-relief measures are not enough or entirely absent and who often feel alone and desperate in this experience.

Types of Burnout Women May Experience

Different types of burnout are increasingly recognized by psychologists and researchers, and they make significant sense as distinct phenomena.

These types often intersect, particularly for women in midlife.

    • High-pressure work environments that never seem to ease up

    • Vague or unclear job expectations

    • Difficulty balancing work and personal life

    • Little control over how tasks and workloads are managed

    • Lack of recognition for hard work and contributions

      Chronic job burnout can significantly affect both personal well-being and overall productivity.

    • Constant caregiving responsibilities

    • Limited personal time

    • Sleep deprivation

    • Social isolation

    • Pressure to meet perfectionist parenting standards

    Parental burnout occurs when constant caregiving, lack of personal time, and sleep loss leave women feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotionally drained.

    • Managing sensory overload and social expectations

    • Constantly masking or adapting to fit in

    • Feeling mentally and emotionally drained

    • Difficulty coping with daily demands

    • Increased stress from environments not built for your needs

    Neurodivergent burnout happens when the effort to navigate a world not designed for your brain leads to extreme fatigue, overwhelm, and reduced day-to-day functioning.
    Many neurodivergent women only discover their neurotype during perimenopause, when their usual coping strategies finally fail under the combined load of hormones, career, and parenting. This results in a profound state of "total empty," where the nervous system is completely depleted.

    • Hormonal changes affecting mood and energy

    • Sleep disturbances and fatigue

    • Increased stress sensitivity

    • Emotional ups and downs that impact daily life

    • Feeling overwhelmed even by routine tasks

    Perimenopause burnout is a deep tiredness that affects both body and emotions. Hormonal changes can make everyday life feel much harder, leaving omen emotionally and physically drained.

SYMPTOMS

Burnout develops gradually. Early signs often include reduced creativity, high irritability, and using alcohol or unhealthy habits to cope. A key indicator is feeling that you are no longer in control of your life or unable to cope with daily tasks.

    • Feeling constantly tired or worn out

    • Trouble sleeping or frequent insomnia

    • Regular headaches

    • Muscle or joint pain

    • Stomach issues, nausea, or loss of appetite

    • Getting sick more often due to a weaker immune system

    • High blood pressure

    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

    • Feeling stuck, helpless, or defeated

    • Self-doubt or feeling like a failure

    • Feeling lonely or disconnected from others

    • Feeling overwhelmed by daily life

    • Loss of motivation or negative outlook

    • Feeling unsatisfied or that achievements don’t matter

    • Losing interest or joy in activities

    • Persistent worry, anxiety, or dread

    • Putting things off or struggling to finish tasks

    • Difficulty focusing or concentrating

    • Lower productivity at work or home

    • Withdrawing from people or responsibilities

    • Relying on food, alcohol, or drugs to cope

    • Becoming irritable, quick to anger, or snapping at others

    • Being late to work more often or taking more sick days.


While they all share the core features of exhaustion and reduced efficacy, they are triggered by different, specific, and often overlapping life stressors. 

If you feel these symptoms, it is important to take them seriously by prioritizing rest, setting boundaries, and seeking support from a professional.

IS THIS YOU?

  • You might relate to this if:

    • You’re carrying a heavy workload or working long hours

    • You feel stuck, with limited opportunities to grow or move forward

    • You’ve experienced unfair treatment, bias, or unequal pay

    • You have little flexibility in how or when you work

    • You feel overlooked or underappreciated

  • You might feel this if:

    • You feel expected to “do it all” and hold everything together

    • You feel pressure to meet unrealistic standards (at work, at home, or in how you look)

    • You’re always available to others, with little time to switch off

    • You carry most of the responsibility at home

    • You’re the main caregiver for children, parents, or others

  • This may resonate if you:

    • Set very high standards for yourself

    • Find it hard to delegate or ask for help

    • Feel driven to achieve, even at the cost of your own wellbeing

    • Compare yourself to others or feel pressure to keep up

    • Live with a constant sense of urgency

Burnout doesn’t always look the same, but many women recognize themselves in a combination of these experiences:

  • If you’re neurodivergent, you might also notice:

    • You feel exhausted from masking or trying to fit in

    • Busy or unpredictable environments quickly overwhelm you

    • Planning, organizing, or staying on top of tasks feels draining

    • Social interactions leave you depleted

    • You often feel misunderstood or unsupported

  • If you’re in perimenopause, you may experience:

    • Feeling unusually tired, low, irritable, or forgetful (“brain fog”)

    • Rest not making you feel restored

    • Sudden shifts in mood, energy, or motivation

    • Poor sleep due to night sweats or hot flashes

    • Feeling more overwhelmed by stress than before

    • The weight of balancing work, family, and caregiving

    These changes are linked to shifting hormone levels, which can affect how your brain regulates mood, energy, and stress. If you’re feeling this way, it doesn’t mean you’re not coping well. It means your body and mind are going through a lot.

  • You may also be lacking the support you need if:

    • You have limited access to mental health care or support services

    • Childcare or practical help is hard to find

    • Responsibilities feel uneven in your relationship

    • You feel isolated or disconnected from others

    • Financial pressure makes it harder to rest or take care of yourself

If you’re nodding along to several of these, you’re not alone and this is not your fault.

Burnout can build up slowly when too many demands and too little support come together. Recognizing it is an important first step toward feeling better and seeking support.

Let's chat

CHAT TO YOUR GP

Burnout can leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Support is available and recovery is possible.

  • Speaking to a GP or mental health professional can be a helpful first step. They can support you in understanding what you’re experiencing and finding ways to cope. Approaches like talking therapies can help you make sense of your thoughts and feelings, and begin to feel more like yourself again.

  • If your burnout is linked to work, it may help to talk to your manager or HR about what you’re going through. Small changes (like adjusting your workload, setting clearer boundaries, or taking time off) can make a meaningful difference.

  • When you’re burned out, even small steps matter. Prioritising rest, getting gentle movement, and finding moments of calm (whether through breathing exercises, mindfulness, or simply slowing down) can help your body and mind recover.

  • Burnout can feel isolating, but connection can be healing. Talking to someone you trust, or connecting with others who understand, can help you feel less alone.

  • If things feel too much, crisis support services are there to listen. There are also simple tools and resources that can help you check in with yourself and take things one step at a time.