Burnout is a topic of high public health and research discussion reflecting its severe consequences. The World Health Organisation’s classification of burnout as an occupational phenomenon forecasts that it will hit the “pandemic” state in the next decade.
Burnout was first coined by the American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974, who defined burnout as “to fail, wear out, or become exhausted by making excessive demands on energy, strength, or resources”. Later in 1981, social psychologist Cristina Maslach and researcher Susan E. Jackson created the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) tool, which, having received some changes, now exists as a 22-item survey helping to identify the frequency and intensity of potential burnout symptoms.
Burnout is not diagnosed as a medical condition in the UK
If you feel extremely overwhelmed, suspecting you might have burnout, and you have come to your general practitioner asking for help to identify and diagnose if it is burnout or not, you might be surprised that burnout is NOT diagnosed as a medical condition in the UK. It is not diagnosed as a psychological condition either. It is currently not included in the DSM-5, the standard reference of mental disorders used by psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists.
Your GP will first suggest checking physiological biomarkers to rule out anaemia, low thyroid function and other causes of fatigue. They will then ask several questions related to depression. Burnout is often confused with depression.
Despite the Maslach Burnout Inventory being established for over 40 years, examining emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment, it has not been incorporated into routine medical healthcare nor replaced by a more modern diagnostic tool.
Why depression is often considered first
Research shows that some depression symptoms, such as hopelessness, guilt and worthlessness, may be present in many people with burnout. These often overlap with emotional aspects of burnout such as detachment, emotional numbness and lack of empathy. However, depression can be a standalone condition that may exist alongside burnout or on its own, which can mislead the diagnostic process.
You may feel confused why you are asked questions about depression, yet you trust the medical professional’s process.
If your answers do not align with depression symptoms, you may instead be assigned the term “work-related stress”. Your doctor may give you a short period of sick leave, encourage rest or a holiday, and refer you to NHS Talking Therapies. In London, waiting times can currently be around six months.
If you feel overwhelmed and unsure what is happening in your body, an initial personalised health consultation can help identify underlying drivers of fatigue and stress.
Burnout symptoms go beyond exhaustion
A recent Swedish study identified 137 symptoms associated with burnout. In addition to cognitive and emotional symptoms, researchers identified common physical manifestations including headaches and dizziness, joint and muscular pain, digestive disorders and increased pain sensitivity. Sweden recognises burnout as a medical condition defined as long-term stress with limited recovery, referred to as exhaustion disorder within its healthcare system.
Chronic stress can also disrupt sleep, digestion and hormonal balance simultaneously. If you are experiencing persistent insomnia, night waking or waking unrefreshed, targeted support such as the Restore Sleep Programme may help restore your natural rhythm and energy levels.
The stigma around burnout
Burnout carries significant stigma. Many people fear being labelled as weak or unable to cope. This fear is particularly strong among individuals in senior leadership roles.
Burnout is often framed as personal failure, yet it can be better understood as feedback that something in the system or environment is unsustainable.
What burnout does to the body
From a physiological perspective, prolonged stress leads to sustained activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and elevated cortisol production. Over time, this system may downregulate, resulting in low cortisol levels.
Without adequate cortisol, getting out of bed, concentrating and functioning day to day can become extremely difficult. This rebound effect explains why people with burnout or chronic fatigue often feel profoundly depleted.
Medical leave related to burnout, often recorded as depression or work-related stress, can last from six to twelve months. Researchers suggest symptoms may persist for 18 months or longer even with rehabilitation. For complex long-term health effects involving hormones, metabolism and fatigue, more comprehensive support such as the Integrated Health Programme may be appropriate.
What individuals can do to protect themselves
Advice such as “sleep more” or “exercise regularly” is often too vague to implement during burnout. More practical strategies are needed.
Perfectionism significantly increases burnout risk. Replacing rigid, all-or-nothing thinking with flexible and compassionate self-talk can reduce internal pressure.
Rest is also frequently misunderstood. True rest includes both passive and active forms such as walking in nature, meditation or gentle stretching. Passive activities like scrolling or watching television rarely provide genuine recovery.
If digestive issues, inflammation or food sensitivities are contributing to fatigue and low mood, targeted support such as the Heal Inflammation Programme may help address underlying drivers of poor health.
Creating a list of daily non-negotiable self-care activities can also protect against long-term exhaustion.
Moving from crisis to prevention
Burnout is not a sign of weakness. It is a signal that demands, recovery and support are out of balance. With earlier recognition, supportive environments and structured intervention, burnout can be prevented or reversed rather than endured.