Persistent exhaustion
Physical or mental tiredness that does not improve enough with rest, and starting each working day without feeling restored.
Work stress and burnout
Work stress and burnout: when carrying everything starts to take its toll.
Working hours end, but your mind stays at work. You may find it difficult to switch off, sleep less well or begin to feel exhausted, irritable or distant from a job you were previously able to manage.
At Pulso en Cauce, you can work on work-related anxiety, constant pressure, excessive self-demand and difficulty setting boundaries. Sessions are available in Córdoba and online, in Spanish or English.
Sessions available in English and Spanish
Understanding what is happening
Work stress and burnout are not exactly the same.
Work-related stress may arise when job demands are experienced as exceeding the resources available to cope with them. It may involve persistent worry, tension, irritability, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating or an inability to switch off.
The World Health Organization describes burnout as a specifically occupational phenomenon associated with chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Its three dimensions are exhaustion, increased mental distance or cynicism towards work, and reduced professional efficacy.
In ICD-11, burnout is classified as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical condition and should not be applied to exhaustion arising in other areas of life. It may also overlap with anxiety, depression, insomnia or other difficulties, so self-diagnosis is not advisable.
Common signs
Some ways work-related distress may show up.
Difficulty switching off
Thoughts about tasks, mistakes or conversations outside working hours, including anticipatory anxiety before returning to work.
Distance, irritability or cynicism
Reduced emotional involvement, rejection of work, irritability or ways of relating to others that do not feel like you.
Cognitive difficulties
Problems concentrating, prioritising, remembering, making decisions or feeling that your work is good enough.
Excessive self-demand and guilt
Feeling that your effort is never enough, together with guilt when resting, delegating or setting limits.
Impact beyond work
Sleep disruption, physical tension, isolation or less emotional availability for relationships and everyday activities.
It is not only an individual issue
Working conditions matter too.
Excessive workloads, low control, long or unpredictable hours, unclear roles, job insecurity, limited support, bullying and conflict between work and personal life are psychosocial risks recognised by WHO and the International Labour Organization.
Therapy can help you recover resources and make decisions, but it cannot turn harmful working conditions into healthy ones. When the environment is maintaining the problem, organisational, preventive, medical or employment-related measures may also need to be considered.
How we can work on it
A practical and honest approach adapted to your circumstances.
Understand the pattern
Identify which working conditions, thoughts, emotions and behaviours are triggering or maintaining distress.
Reduce activation and rumination
Develop ways to manage worry, recover attention and improve the transition between work and rest.
Review boundaries and self-demand
Address perfectionism, guilt, over-involvement, difficulty delegating or fear of disappointing others.
Recovery and decisions
Support sleep and recovery, prepare conversations and consider realistic changes without imposing a predetermined solution.
Assess related difficulties
Explore anxiety or depression and coordinate with or refer to other healthcare professionals when necessary.
Healthcare professionals and high-pressure roles
Asking for help is also part of protecting your ability to care.
Clinical pressure, shift work, responsibility for others, exposure to suffering and difficulty asking for help can increase distress among healthcare professionals.
Juan has experience providing psychological support to healthcare professionals and offers a confidential, practical and non-judgmental space to explore how work is affecting you. He also works with people in other sectors who face sustained pressure, high responsibility or difficulty switching off.
In person, online and in English
Sessions can adapt to shift work, travel and changing schedules.
You can attend sessions in person in Córdoba, online or combine both formats. Online sessions can make continuity easier when you work shifts or travel frequently.
Sessions are available in Spanish and English. If you would like to have therapy in English, state your language preference when requesting your first appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about work stress and burnout
Brief answers to common questions before seeking psychological support.
01Are work stress and burnout the same?
No. Work stress may be temporary or persistent. Burnout specifically refers to chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed and involves exhaustion, distance or cynicism towards work, and reduced professional efficacy.
02Is burnout an illness?
WHO classifies burnout in ICD-11 as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical condition. However, it may coexist with anxiety, depression, insomnia or other difficulties that require professional assessment.
03How do I know whether I need professional support?
An assessment may be helpful if distress persists, affects sleep, mood, relationships or performance, prevents you from switching off or makes you avoid work. You do not need to meet a fixed symptom checklist or wait for a crisis.
04Can therapy help if the problem is the workplace?
It can help reduce the psychological impact, rebuild resources, set boundaries and support decisions. If working conditions are harmful, organisational, preventive, medical or employment-related changes may also need to be considered. Responsibility should not be placed solely on the individual.
05Do you work with healthcare professionals?
Yes. Juan has experience supporting healthcare professionals dealing with pressure, overload, clinical responsibility and emotional exhaustion, as well as people in other high-demand roles.
06Can I attend online therapy if I work shifts?
Yes. Online sessions can make continuity easier when you work shifts, travel or have a changing schedule. They can also be combined with in-person sessions in Córdoba.
07Can I have my sessions in English?
Yes. Sessions are available in Spanish and English. You can state your preferred language when requesting your first appointment.
08Is the first session a treatment session?
The brief first session is free and is intended for us to meet, gain an initial understanding of what you need and consider whether this practice is suitable for you. It does not replace a full assessment or emergency care.
Sources and further reading
Sources and further reading
References used to prepare and review this information.
Pulso en Cauce
Finding direction can begin with a conversation.
The first session is a brief, free and no-obligation meeting to get to know each other, answer questions and consider whether this space feels right for you.