Work-Related Burnout Gets a New Official Definition

Most of us have experienced a vague feeling of being “scorched” by work, but now there is a concrete definition of what that really means. The World Health Organization recently updated its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) codes to define burnout as a three-dimensional syndrome.

The new definition does not mean that burnout (or, as they call it, “burnout”) is a disease; it is classified as a “health factor”. Here’s a new definition:

Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic stress in the workplace that has not been successfully dealt with. It is characterized by three dimensions: 1) a feeling of depletion or depletion of energy; 2) increased mental distance from work or a feeling of negativity or cynicism in relation to their work; and 3) decreased professional effectiveness. Burnout refers specifically to events in a professional context and should not be used to describe experiences in other areas of life.

If you feel like you meet the criteria for burnout, you can mention it the next time you seek medical or mental health care. Burnout itself is not considered a medical condition, but it does represent additional stress in your life that you may have to face. Seek professional help if you need it , or consider if a mental health day at work might give you enough respite to consider your options.

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