When Stress Becomes Chronic
Stress and emotion are deeply intertwined: the appraisal of a threat shapes which emotion follows, and that emotion shapes coping. Unrelenting stress reshapes baseline emotional functioning over time.
One major outcome of chronic work stress is burnout, formalized by Christina Maslach as a three-component syndrome distinct from ordinary stress or fatigue.
| Component | What it feels like |
|---|---|
| Emotional exhaustion | Drained, overextended, nothing left to give |
| Depersonalization | Detached, callous, cynical distancing from others |
| Reduced personal accomplishment | Diminished sense of competence and effectiveness |
Burnout vs. General Adaptation
Burnout is distinct from Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).
| Concept | Scope | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| GAS | Broad | General physiological stress response |
| Burnout | Specific | Psychological and emotional syndrome tied to social or occupational roles |
Common pitfall: Treating burnout as simply being very tired. Emotional exhaustion is only one piece; depersonalization and reduced accomplishment do not track raw fatigue.