Prolonged stress can significantly affect specific areas of the brain
Guðrún Rakel Eiríksdóttir, a clinical psychologist and doctoral student at the Department of Psychology at Reykjavík University, delivered a well-attended lecture during the Brain Awareness Week at Reykjavík University. The lecture was dedicated to the Neuropsychology of Burnout.
Her doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with Berglind Stefánsdóttir, focuses in part on systematically studying individuals who seek support from VIRK (Vocational Rehabilitation Fund) due to burnout. Guðrún Rakel and Berglind are both managers at VIRK and have noticed that this group often faces partial or complete inability to work, underscoring the severity of the condition and the need for appropriate services.
In her lecture, Guðrún Rakel outlined the main symptoms of burnout, noting that many individuals first notice physical signs. Sleep disturbances are a common early symptom, and many also describe a frustrating cognitive experience.
Many people describe that, despite having the will to function, it feels as if the brain simply no longer works. Recent research highlights the cognitive component of burnout, which often manifests early through symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, reduced attention, and impaired executive functioning.
Says Guðrún Rakel, adding that prolonged stress can significantly affect specific areas of the brain.
Chronic stress increases amygdala activity, keeping individuals in a constant state of alertness. It also impacts the prefrontal cortex, which is important for regulating behaviour and attention, as well as the hippocampus, which plays a key role in memory,” she explained.
She says, emphasising that recovery is possible because the brain is remarkably adaptable and can help regain balance.
She also stressed the importance of first assessing whether mental health issues or other health conditions are present, noting that appropriate treatment and services are essential in such cases. For individuals experiencing burnout, identifying the main sources of stress is also key to effective recovery and support.
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