Work 'burnout' not a medical condition, World Health Organisation says

Feeling exhausted and negative at work? You might be burnt out, but there's no point in seeking help from your doctor.

New research by the World Health Organisation has redefined the term as an "occupational phenomenon", not a medical condition.

In the past, health professionals had been unable to agree on a definition for the term, which was coined in the 1970s by Herbert Freudenberger, an American psychologist.

WHO described it as "a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed" in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).

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Adding more detail to its original inclusion in the 10th ICD revision, WHO identified three distinct dimensions for the condition: exhaustion, increased mental distance from one's job or negative and cynical feelings, and reduced professional efficiency.

Feeling exhausted and negative at work? You might be burnt out, but don't seek help from your doctor.
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Feeling exhausted and negative at work? You might be burnt out, but don't seek help from your doctor.

​Burnout has previously been applied to other aspects of life, including parenthood. But WHO said the term should solely be used in "occupational context" and shouldn't be used to describe experiences in other areas of life.

The revised ICD handbook is used as a guide for health professionals and organisations around the world.

Unlike depression, to which its symptoms are commonly linked, there is no dependable diagnosis for the condition. However, the main measurement tool used in research studies is the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

The MBI is a survey that requires individuals to answer several questions about emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced personal achievements.

However, this method has been widely criticised, with concerns raised over its efficacy and accuracy in capturing the concept of "burnout". 

The redefined term is being used as a launch pad by WHO to develop evidence-based guidelines for "mental well-being in the workplace".

WHO previously noted burn out to be a common reason for absenteeism and poor attitude in the workplace, and predicted mental illness to be a leading cause of workplace absence by 2030.

According to the Ministry of Business, one in six Kiwis receive a mental illness diagnosis at some point in their life.

The rising issue of mental health in New Zealand was recently announced as the Government's primary focus for the Wellbeing Budget 2019. Finance Minister Grant Robertson's new budget allocated $1.9 billion to address the country's growing mental health crisis.

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