Psychotherapie aus dem Netz

Burnout isn’t a clearly defined diagnosis. It’s the everyday language used to describe exhaustion and stress. There are no figures on recorded cases of burnout. Studies conducted by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs have shown that perceived stress at the workplace has increased in recent decades. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that cases of exhaustion have risen too.

In a representative study conducted by the University of Bern in 2014, around a quarter of the wage earners questioned said they were quite or very exhausted and emotionally drained. This figure is high, but lies within the European average.

Burnout can be a indication of a serious illness that requires treatment. Experts are currently debating whether burnout and depression are different illnesses or simply different terms for the same illness. There’s often significant overlap in terms of symptoms, consequences and treatment.

The symptoms of burnout generally fall into three categories: Firstly, you feel emotionally and physically exhausted, drained of strength and energy. Secondly, there is an increasing indifference and sometimes cynical attitude towards work or the social environment. Thirdly, you become less productive and can no longer deliver the usual quality. These symptoms also tend to be accompanied by a drop in self-esteem. It can be dangerous to ignore these warning signs. At an advanced stage it is very difficult, for example, to differentiate between burnout and depression. Other symptoms that may indicate the emergence of a psychological imbalance include sleeplessness, a permanent feeling of despondence, anxiety, uncontrollable worries, constant tension and nervousness.

In many studies, online intervention has proven incredibly effective in reducing symptoms of depression, panic disorders or social anxiety. Web-based programmes like these primarily appeal to people who don’t want or don’t need to consult a therapist in the first instance.

Certainly. Reputable programmes are usually available as a trial. They explain psychological theory and highlight opportunities for change. They also provide exercises designed to encourage users to be more active, to help them face specific situations, change their way of thinking or relax physically. In the worst case, users are unable to put these exercises into practice. Our experience shows: Our experience shows that, if the programmes don’t help at all or don’t help enough, many users then opt for one-on-one psychotherapy.

Effective self-help programmes are based on scientific methods from the field of psychotherapy. When choosing an online programme, users should check that the provider’s website offers evidence that the programme is based on scientific studies and that it provides credible references proving the programme’s effectiveness.

No. Those online programmes deemed to be particularly effective by studies all offer the support of a therapist. The reason for this is that many people find it difficult to stick to the therapy and work through a programme’s individual modules without additional support. However, there are some self-help programmes that prove effective without this extra support.

They’re more than that. They can help prevent and reduce (the severity of?) psychological disorders. However, if the disorder has progressed beyond a certain point, web-based programmes will no longer be of any help. In these cases, you should contact a doctor or psychotherapist immediately.