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Burnout

Break the Anxiety-Depression Cycle & Rebuild Your Relationship

Are you’re depressed, exhausted, confused and overwhelmed? Are you suffering from pain or brain fog? Emotional burnout is a state of chronic emotional exhaustion, overwhelm and procrastination. Every path ahead is terrifying or pointless.

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Burnout is caused by long terms stress. It is common in high conflict relationships and divorce, following relationship abuse or if you have been a long term carer for your partner. If you do not process it, burnout can hit you months - even years - after the stress has passed...

What Does Emotional Burnout Feel Like?

Emotional burnout goes beyond tired. It\s a stage of profound emotional fatigue. Core symptoms of burnout include the following:

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1. Constant exhaustion: Lethargic even after sleep, feeling numb, may have insomnia

2. Brain fog: Can't concentrate, poor memory, overwhelmed by small tasks, feelings are disconnected.

3. Detachment: Disassociate, social withdrawal, loss of empathy, emotionally distant

4. Short Temper: Low tolerance for noise/requests/demands, sarcastic, passive aggressive, irritable, anxious

5. Guilt: Self-doubt, shame, helpless or hopeless

6. Physical symptoms: Unexplained pains, digestive issues, new allergies, sleep disturbances, 'wired and hypervigilent.

The Burnout Cycle 

Burnout is caused by an anxiety and depression loop trap can you in a relentless cycle - depression and anxiety fuel each other. If you’re stuck and overwhelmed one moment, numb the next then hypervigilent you’re caught in the loop.

Anxiety

  • ​Your mind races with worry, fear and worst-case scenarios. You are hypervigilant. Startle response

  • Your body is in constant fight-or-flight mode - tense, restless, on edge, poor sleep.

  • Seek control - overanalyze, try to fix, need reassurance.

  • This burns through energy - you run on empty​

Depression

  • You withdraw, isolate. Feel disconnected from everything.

  • Sleep patterns fall apart - too much or too little 

  • Small tasks feel overwhelming, Stop engaging in life.

  • You start believing “Nothing will ever change.” 

Stressed Woman

​Your mind and body can’t keep up with the constant stress, Mental & physical exhaustion.

Dopamine & serotonin crash - motivation disappears, emotions dulled out

You start avoiding social contact & responsibilities 

Nothing feels exciting anymore - joy disappears​

Yellow Roller Coaster

  • You panic about feeling depressed -“Why am I like this?” 

  • Guilt, regret, and fear of failure pile up

  • Overthinking returns - you catasrophise

  • The rollercoaster cycle starts all over again

How Burnout Affects New Relationships?

If past relationship trauma has not been processed, it can haunt you in future relationships. Many high functioning people push through chronic stress, divorce anxiety and then find that they are suddenly struggling with burnout months - or even years - after a break up. ​

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  • The anxious partner feels abandoned & unloved

  • The supporting partner feels drained & overwhelmed - shouldering all the responsibilities, childcare and bills

 

Left unchecked, this leads to:

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• Constant misunderstandings (“Why are they ignoring me?”)

• Resentment & emotional distance (“I feel like I’m walking on eggshells.”)

• Loss of intimacy & closeness (“We don’t feel like a team anymore.”)

• Possible relationship breakdown and divorce (“There is no point continuing...”)

How to Break Free from Burnout

Burnout doesn't have to be a prison sentence. These are my tips to start your recovery: 

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When you’re anxious:

  • Pause before reacting. Ask: Is this anxiety talking? 

  • Self-soothe instead of demanding reassurance.

  • Use CBT to manage overthinking.

  • Give space don't chase. Space doesn't mean rejection

  • Rebuild security in yourself

  • Use hypno-journeying to heal trauma or attachment wounds.

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When you’re depressed:

  • Communicate your needs, even if small. (“I need some quiet, but I still care.”)

  • Stay engaged don't shut down.

  • Remember even small actions show love.

  • Acknowledge the emotional impact on the relationship. Depression affects your partner, too.

  • Prioritise mindfulness - stay present. Don’t let emotional numbness take over.

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