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by scjody 228 days ago
I've suffered this several times over my now 25-year career, and the best answer I've found is therapy. Find a good[*] therapist and work with them, preferably every week, until you feel better.

[*] I like this definition of "a good therapist", from a book I read many years ago:

> Here’s what you should look for in a good therapist.

> Some good signs are:

> * Someone you know says this therapist has helped them with a similar problem in concrete ways.

> * The therapist offers a plan that focuses on helping you reach the goals you’ve set, and it’s clear to you how what the therapist does will help you reach your goals.

> * This therapist uses a variety of methods depending on your problem and who you are.

> * You have an ongoing sense that this therapist is more often than not helping you feel better in your life and helping your life work better.

> Some bad signs are:

> * There’s no change in your life or how you feel or what you do after four sessions, or things actually get worse.

> * The therapist seems uninterested in the concrete realities of your current life.

> * The therapist is focused exclusively on ways you’ve been damaged, instead of on your needs or strengths.

> * The therapist seems to have one all-purpose theory or “answer” that explains everything.

I hope this helps! Burnout is real, you're not alone, and I'm glad you're taking some steps towards recovery!