Your partner has burnout, but what does this mean for you? It is often hard for a partner and/or child(ren) to watch their loved one struggle with themselves. This piece is especially for all loved ones; how do you deal with the other person’s burnout?

Burnout and a family.

The combination of burnout and a family, can be summed up in one word; tough. You have to sit on the sidelines and watch your loved one struggle so much with himself, which makes you feel powerless. After all, burnout is not something you have alone, is the thinking behind this; it affects the whole family!

What can you do for your neighbor:

HAcknowledge and acknowledge the symptoms in your loved one and tell him or her the same. Make sure the burnout is allowed to be there with someone.
Look for relaxing activities you can do together. Watching a light-hearted movie, swimming, going for a bike ride.
Laughing together also has a positive effect; after all, everyone can use a dose of endorphins, and in the case of burnout, this is highly recommended.
Try to leave out as much criticism, where possible, but be aware that this is not the same as swallowing everything, so stay alert.
If your loved one has not yet sought help to work on the problem, encourage and support them in this search. At the same time, prevent you from becoming the caregiver.
Realize that you cannot make your loved one better. He or she must implement interventions on his or her own, make a daily schedule that is appropriate and work toward recovery. You can only cooperate in creating an environment in which this is possible.

You are here too!

If your loved one is struggling with burnout, it is nice if you support him or her. But that is not the same as completely obliterating yourself. How do you make sure you get through your loved one’s burnout period as well?

Not all negative reactions from your partner, are directed at you personally. Someone with burnout may come across as somewhat aggressive or unreasonable. This has nothing to do with you as a person, but is part of your partner’s symptoms.
Look for information about burnout so you can better understand and place the behavior.
Also, undertake fun activities alone (or with others, but without your neighbor,) that recharge the battery.
Make sure you also seek professional support; know where to go for tips and any questions surrounding burnout.
Geef aan wat jouw grens is en praat hierover.
If there are children involved, make sure they understand what is going on and give them attention. Let children know that family life is not all about the person with burnout, but that they are there too. If necessary, let them stay an extra weekend with family/friends.

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