“Burn-Out” Now Recognized as a Medical Condition.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has added “burn-out” to its list of recognized medical diagnosis codes called the International Classification of Diseases. Burn-out is defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” The syndrome is further characterized by three dimensions: 1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; 2) increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and 3) reduced professional efficacy.

World Health Organization, May 2019