Burnout is not just a buzzword, it is a silent epidemic that is eroding wellbeing, productivity and quality of life among the workforce, and high achievers appear to be especially at risk.

A clinical psychologist and occupational therapist of Netcare Akeso Umhlanga’s Centre of Psychotherapy Excellence (COPE) team unpack the troubling consequences of unmanaged chronic work stress, emphasising that prevention is always better than rebuilding after crises.

“Burnout is a state of exhaustion – physically, emotionally and mentally – caused by excessive and continued stress. The three main characteristics of burnout are exhaustion, cynicism – which is a negative or detached attitude – and decreased motivation and productivity over a sustained period,” explains Claudia van Blerk, Netcare Akeso Umhlanga COPE Manager and occupational therapist.

The World Health Organization recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon, rather than a medical diagnosis. The Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2025 Report noted a six point decrease in South African employee engagement levels, with less than a quarter (23%) of respondents feeling engaged at work, and more than a third (36%) reporting daily stress, both key components observed in people suffering from burnout.

Very often, people on the verge of burnout may notice that the same tasks take much longer to complete than before, and even putting in additional working hours often does not translate into achieving what was previously manageable within working hours.