'Burn-out' is a medical condition: WHO
| May 28, 2019, 12:16 IST
For the first time, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises "burn-out" as a medical condition. The organisation has added it to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD) list, which is used as a benchmark for diagnosis.
Health experts from all around the world helped update the ICD list, which was drafted in 2018. It was officially approved during the World Health Assembly in Geneva. Recognising "burn-out" as a real health issue can now end the debate amount experts on whether or not it should be deemed a medical issue. "This is the first time burnout has been included in the classification", WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters.
WHO defines burn-out as "a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed".
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion.
- Increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job.
- 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," according to the latest update of its catalogue of diseases and injuries across the globe.
Millions of people around the world suffer from burn-out due to hectic schedules that lead to overworking oneself to the brink of exhaustion. A study conducted by Entity Health that surveyed 1,000 people, found close to 40 per cent reported feeling stressed at least thrice a week.
Here are the symptoms of burnout you need to be aware of:
- Sleeping less and wake up feeling tired.
- A lack of motivation and find it difficult to concentrate at work.
- Quick to feel short-tempered and experiencing conflict.
- You start to emotionally withdraw from friends and family.
- Burnout can also take the form of physical symptoms.
The new ICD list also classifies "compulsive sexual behaviour" as a mental disorder and recognised video gaming as an addiction.
Health experts from all around the world helped update the ICD list, which was drafted in 2018. It was officially approved during the World Health Assembly in Geneva. Recognising "burn-out" as a real health issue can now end the debate amount experts on whether or not it should be deemed a medical issue. "This is the first time burnout has been included in the classification", WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters.
WHO defines burn-out as "a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed".
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion.
- Increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job.
- 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," according to the latest update of its catalogue of diseases and injuries across the globe.
Millions of people around the world suffer from burn-out due to hectic schedules that lead to overworking oneself to the brink of exhaustion. A study conducted by Entity Health that surveyed 1,000 people, found close to 40 per cent reported feeling stressed at least thrice a week.
Here are the symptoms of burnout you need to be aware of:
- Sleeping less and wake up feeling tired.
- A lack of motivation and find it difficult to concentrate at work.
- Quick to feel short-tempered and experiencing conflict.
- You start to emotionally withdraw from friends and family.
- Burnout can also take the form of physical symptoms.
The new ICD list also classifies "compulsive sexual behaviour" as a mental disorder and recognised video gaming as an addiction.