Burnout: the warning signs and how to stop itBurnout: the warning signs and how to stop it
All In The Mind
Sally Gould was a couple of years into her dream job as a paramedic when it all started to fall apart. It wasn’t the trauma and injury she was exposed to on shifts that was getting to her. It was everything else - the hours, the nonsense callouts, the bullying. The experience would leave her isolated and thinking of suicide. But she found a way back. Today, an episode for those of you who fear you’re burning out - or have burnt out. We hear about the personality traits that put you at higher risk of burnout, how to protect yourself and getting back on the path back to good health. Guests: Sally Gould Paramedic; Author, Frog: The Secret Diary of a Paramedic Gordon Parker Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Credits: Presenter: Sana Qadar Senior Producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound Engineer: Tegan Nicholls More info: Frog: The Secret Diary of a Paramedic (Simon & Schuster). Burnout: A Guide to Identifying Burnout and Pathways to Recovery (Allen & Unwin). Defining burnout: What is this syndrome and what sets it apart from other labels? (RACGP). To explore more great episodes from the award-winning psychology podcast All in the Mind with host Sana Qadar, download the ABC Listen app (Australia) or search 'ABC All in the Mind podcast' wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find more episodes on mental health, trauma, attachment theory, wellness hacks, and family relationships. You'll also hear interviews with experts like Esther Perel, Billy Garvey and Ethan Kross. All in the Mind is created for ABC's Radio National by specialist journalists and reporters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
29:36•11 Sept 2026
Burnout, Brain Fog and Finding a Way Back: A Paramedic’s Story
Episode Overview
- Burnout has distinct stages, with "burning out" differing from the more severe "burnt out" phase.
- Personality traits such as reliability, diligence and perfectionism can significantly increase burnout risk.
- Burnout and depression can overlap but often have different drivers and require different treatment approaches.
- Lifestyle changes including reducing alcohol, prioritising sleep, exercise and nutrition can support burnout recovery.
- Finding a psychologist who understands perfectionism and work pressures can help reshape resilience and coping strategies.
“People talk about burnout as if it's a single construct. I believe there are two phases. There's a phase of burning out and there's a phase of being burnt out.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This episode zooms in on burnout, but it speaks directly to anyone whose mental health is fraying under pressure – including those rebuilding life after alcohol or other addictions. The story centres on paramedic and author Sally Gould, whose dream job slowly turned into a nightmare.
It wasn’t graphic trauma that wore her down, but long shifts, nonsense callouts, bullying and the constant need to be "like a coiled spring at all times". She describes becoming cynical at work and almost non-functional at home: "I didn't want to get out of bed. I didn't want to go anywhere, do anything... I was sleeping a lot.
I was crying all the time." Her suicidal thoughts grew so persistent that her husband finally urged her to see a GP. Psychiatrist Professor Gordon Parker joins to explain what burnout actually is, why it hits certain personality types harder, and how it differs from depression. He breaks it into two stages – burning out and being burnt out – and sets out six key features, from exhaustion and brain fog to emotional numbness and physical symptoms.
You’ll hear why conscientious, perfectionistic people are especially vulnerable, and why some professions, like clergy and first responders, see high burnout rates while "sociopaths never develop burnout". Sally’s recovery wasn’t quick or neat. She ditched alcohol and the pill, added simple walks, prioritised sleep and food, and eventually found a psychologist who helped her work on perfectionism and resilience.
Her idea of resilience shifted from pushing feelings down to making space for them and using a "toolkit" of self-care and support. Today she describes herself as "thriving, enthusiastic and content", but still treats rest, exercise and social connection as non‑negotiable. If you’ve ever wondered whether your exhaustion is just a rough patch or something more serious, could this be the nudge to start taking your own warning signs seriously?
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