Comments on: Web Burnout

By: Rai

Rai — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:27:37 +0000

Frank,
I can understand the position you are in. After I got married, I experienced much of this type of abuse from management in a few positions I held in the late 90s. I now realize that _most_ of this abuse was caused by me. You have to be able to decide what really matters in life. Work does not define us, but it can definitely confine us
It may be best to focus more on yourself instead of the career. Put things into perspective and ask yourself what you really _need_ out of life. Chase money and regret will greet you at the finish line once the race is over. Good luck and hang in there.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 26 May 2007 10:22:58 +0000

I am currently suffering depression and axiety brought on by a hectic work environment that couldn’t be sustained by one person “me” when I asked for help I was given a trainee as a short term measure and led to believe that something more permanent would be put in place, when the traineeship was completed. I believed that in the next 12 months if I worked harder and kept up with the work whilst training a trainee with little experience at the end of the 12 months we could appoint this person and have an additional worker to help with the workload. How wrong was I, when the 12 months was up I was given a new trainee and raked over the coal for attending the interview to recruit this person as the office couldn’t survive without me for one morning. I was always over supervised and watched by every manager in my division. It sounds like I’m paranoid but I can assure you I’m not, as I was too busy to be dreaming up conspiracy theories. Anyway, in the end I broke down and ended up in a Psych hospital after trying to overdose on my prescription medication. I identified myself through my work and my depression plunged once I went on workcover, I had never even recieved the dole or family payments from the government. I’ve now been on benefits for quite a while and don’t see an end to my depression and anxiety. I feel like my future has been taken from me, me and my family are suffering financially even though I’m on workcover, but its amazing what a drop in your take home percentage makes. We all work just to survive, what happens long term when you break down and its not fixed quickly? Anyway I was just wondering if there is anyone else out there that’s suffered at the hands of business, when you’ve done your best to be a good worker.

By: Gary Barber

Gary Barber — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:50:11 +0000

@Melanie – you are never alone, the important thing is stay focused and make sure you are okay first. Things will bet better with the baby, trust me it’s not like that forever.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:03:07 +0000

sigh…yep I’m there. Overworked, tired, up all night with a 6 month old. Trying my best to keep up with endless demands of clients. I found your blog by searching for “web developer burnout” LOL. Nice to know I’m not alone.

By: Gary Barber

Gary Barber — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:55:59 +0000

@Steven C, thanks for the Japanese definition.

Yes, the critical thing here is to remember you aren’t going to say on your deathbed.. “Gee I wish I had worked more and longer hours”.

It’s very much a taboo topic. A lot of younger designers consider that it will not happen to them. I just smile when they say this.

Extreme stress on the pituitary gland is more common than people realise, especially in high tech industries.

By: Steven Clark

Steven Clark — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 22:58:27 +0000

Karoshi (japanese word for death by overwork) is a growing problem in the world. Working from home and not being 20 anymore I have to admit the work-life balance went out the window and I’ve crashed dismally several times – the latest being the complete closing and deletion of my blogs which were a key to chewing up my spare time and work included. Blogaholicism is another related thing.

In the end you’re right. Whether we step back from the work or fire a client or two its more important to survive and enjoy life than to be perfect or earn the maximum coin for our efforts. I’d advise the avoidance of industry expectation to work long hours, in fact I’m most creative when I’m not in front of the computer at all.

Interesting article and there should be more of an ongoing discussion about this as the people coming into this work are continually having to learn this one the hard way. I read where our industry attracts people who are perfectionists and who also tend to be isolated so this combination leads to burnout and a high rate of physical depression.

One other thing. My brother in law is a computer programmer who ended up wearing down his pituitary gland to the point he needs testosterone injections for life and other medication. Don’t underestimate the damage your body can receive from staring at a bright light for 16 hours per day and not getting enough rest. Without medication he would die now. He was lucky they caught it at the point he couldn’t get out of bed anymore – not just depression.

By: Steven Hambleton

Steven Hambleton — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:16:13 +0000

I was just discussing the other day how I can foresee burnout with my current workload.

I think the best thing to do sometimes is take a timeout. Communication with the customer about a days delays should straighten things out.

Time away from the computer is time well spent and is something I am becoming more aware of.