“Burn-out is included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon. It is not classified as a medical condition.
It is described in the chapter: ‘Factors influencing health status or contact with health services’ – which includes reasons for which people contact health services but that are not classed as illnesses or health conditions.
Burn-out is defined in ICD-11 as follows:
Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
- feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
- increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
- reduced professional efficacy.
Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”
Source : OMS, 2019. occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. World Health Organization [online]. 28 May 2018. [Accessed on 13 December 2022]
Available at : https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
True or false?
For most people, a mental breakdown is something to be ashamed of. | Burnout is something that happens only to other people. |
| Burnout is just another excuse to take paid leave from work. | People can avoid getting burned-out by taking time to recharge their batteries and switch off from work. |
| Burnout affects people in all jobs and at all levels of seniority. | If someone gets burned-out, it’s their fault for not saying “no” and for working beyond their limits. |
| When people return to work after burnout, their doctor might recommend special arrangements to prevent them from relapsing. | After an episode of burnout, people can’t return to work unless they have reduced responsibilities. |
| People who suffer from burnout are mentally weak and fragile. | For someone with burnout, taking appropriate time off work is part of the recovery process. |
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