Health

Burnout is classified as a DISEASE by the World Health Organisation – the 8 signs you’re at risk


IF your job has you feeling mentally exhausted or emotionally drained, you could be suffering from an actual medical condition.

For the first time, the World Health Organisation has officially added “burn out” to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

 Burn out has been officially recognised as a disease for the first time by the World Health Organisation

Getty – Contributor

Burn out has been officially recognised as a disease for the first time by the World Health Organisation

It will be globally recognised as a disease from 2022 and allow healthcare providers and insurers to acknowledge, treat and cover the symptoms.

The WHO defines burn out as being caused by “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

It said the syndrome was characterised by feelings of exhaustion, negativity or cynicism towards one’s job and reduced professional efficacy.

The classification states that burn out refers specifically in the occupational context and “should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life”.

WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters: “This is the first time [burn-out has been officially recognised in the ICD].”

The decision was made during the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Monday, when other conditions including video gaming addiction was also recognised as a mental health disorder.

It comes a year after global health experts recommended the agency add burn out to its catalogue.

Officials now hope it will put to rest decades of debate among experts over how to define burn out and whether it should be considered a medical condition.

What are the 8 telltale signs of a burnout?

Here are the key signs you could be on the verge of burning out:

  1. Poor sleep
  2. An unsettled stomach and poor digestion
  3. High blood pressure
  4. Constantly thinking about work when at home
  5. A snappy and irritable mood
  6. Never having enough time for work deadlines, projects, family or even yourself
  7. Poor concentration
  8. Socialising less

Phil Parker, a British osteopath and expert on stress, said it is important to recognise the telltale signs of a burnout so you can try and manage it.

He warned it can also lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.

He said: “Business can still do a lot to prevent burnout, it’s not too late to nip it in the bud.

“There are ways to build resilience and peak performance, with huge benefits to businesses who look after staff mental well being.

“Approaching the problem preemptively will hugely future-proof against lost productivity in the corporate world.”

In the past three years, 45 million working days were lost due to stress, anxiety and depression, according to the UK Statistics Authority.

Study by Eve Sleep and Mental Health UK reveal one in three Brits so stressed at work they’ve checked emails in middle of night


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