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The World Health Organisation has added ‘burnout’ to the International Classification of Diseases
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This new diagnosis though is not to be confused with anxiety or other mood disorders similar
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‘Burnout’ has actually been studied for a long time, but it is only now it is acknowledged medically
Do you feel overworked at your job? Tired? Unmotivated? Well the World Health Organisation, and the rest of humanity is with you. ‘Burnout’ has been added to the ‘Classification of Diseases’ (the ICD).
The ICD, now updated to the entirely digital ‘ICD-11’ is a medical handbook helping medical professionals on diagnosing diseases. The handbook covers various illnesses, diseases, and causes of death.
‘Burnout’ in the handbook is described in the following way:
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
3. Reduced professional efficiency
Though it has been urged by WHO that doctors first need to rule out ‘adjustment disorder’, as well as anxiety and various other mood disorders. It also is worth noting that this diagnosis only applies to the work environment.
‘Burnout’ is something that has been studied since the 70s, with an article originating from 1974 first studying the issue. A 2017 review of that article has discussed how ‘burnout’ has long not been considered a medical disorder despite being “one of the most widely discussed mental health problems in today’s society.”
What do you think? Do you think ‘burnout’ is a worthy addition to the medical handbook?
