How do I recognize burnout?
Burnout means something like burned out and describes a state of severe exhaustion caused by (work) stress that cannot be managed. In the latest edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), burnout syndrome is described with the following three symptoms:
- Feeling of exhaustion and lack of energy
- a distancing or negative attitude towards one’s own job
- Feeling of lack of performance
In addition to these core symptoms, burnout can also be accompanied by other complaints such as insomnia, lack of motivation, headaches or stomach aches, tension or concentration problems.
Burnout is not a diagnosis in its own right like depression, but rather a so-called additional diagnosis. There are therefore no clear criteria for when burnout occurs. If you feel like you are constantly exhausted or burned out, this can already be an indication. It is also controversial whether burnout can really only occur in employed people. Stress from studying, school or care work, which are not traditionally defined as a "job", can also trigger burnout symptoms.
Is a visit to the doctor even necessary?
Exhausted, unable to concentrate and less productive: don't we all know this from time to time? The symptoms of burnout can be varied and can gradually develop from "normal" to "too much". This is precisely what can make it difficult to recognise the symptoms as such and to seek help early on. Often, those affected do not directly associate the symptoms with (impending) burnout. Rather, they tend to initially classify the signs as a lack of resilience, too little ambition or even weakness. Burnout is not temporary exhaustion or a sign of weakness, but a stressful condition that can have a major impact on quality of life.
A visit to the doctor not only allows you to have burnout diagnosed, but also gives you access to various support services. The only question that remains for many burnout sufferers is: What should I tell the doctor?
What do I tell the doctor about burnout?
At the beginning of the consultation, the doctor will probably ask you to tell him or her what brought you to him or her. Here you have the opportunity to talk about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are affecting your life. You can also openly say that you are afraid of experiencing burnout. A few questions you can ask yourself beforehand are:
Suggestion
Possible questions
- What problems do you experience in everyday life? Do you feel exhausted, unable to concentrate or less productive?
- What is your attitude towards your job?
- Do you notice any physical symptoms such as stomach or headaches or trouble sleeping?
- Are the symptoms bothering you and what is bothering you most at the moment?
- Do your symptoms limit your everyday life?
- How long have the symptoms been present?
The answers to these questions can help you to put what you are experiencing into words and to respond to any questions the doctor may have. However, it is not necessary that you prepare in detail for all possible questions. These usually arise automatically during the conversation.
If you find it difficult to open up to your doctor, you can remind yourself that there are many people who are in a similar situation to you. This means that the person you are talking to has a lot of experience in this area and your problems are not foreign to him or her.
If you're worried about getting too nervous during the interview, you can also take notes on your phone or a piece of paper beforehand and take them with you. You can also write down any questions you might have.
Possible burnout contact points
In addition to the question of "What do I tell the doctor?" when it comes to burnout, the question often arises as to which practice is best to visit if you have burnout symptoms. Basically, there are several places where you can clarify your symptoms and get support.
General practice
Your GP's office can also be a good first port of call for psychological problems. Many patients with burnout symptoms usually present themselves here. One advantage is often that your GP already knows you and you may already have a good relationship of trust.
Psychotherapeutic practice
You can also contact a psychotherapy practice directly. The advantage is that psychotherapists are experts in mental illnesses. You may also be able to start psychotherapy directly afterwards.
Psychiatric practice
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. They have completed a medical degree and specialist training in psychiatry and are therefore particularly knowledgeable in this field.
Telemedicine providers
A telemedicine provider such as TeleClinic can also be used for a quick assessment of your symptoms. The advantage here is that you can get an appointment quickly. However, for some people it can feel strange to describe their symptoms to a stranger via a video consultation.
How is burnout diagnosed?
In order for a specialist to diagnose burnout, they will first ask you a lot of questions to get an accurate picture of your symptoms. You may also have to fill out one or more questionnaires. However, because burnout is not clearly classified, there are few special burnout questionnaires and these are rarely used in practice.
It is especially important that your doctor checks whether what you are experiencing is really a sign of burnout or is caused by another physical or mental illness. For example, depression, thyroid and heart disease or a vitamin deficiency can also lead to lack of energy or exhaustion. To rule this out, you may be given a physical examination, have blood drawn or have to fill out certain questionnaires. With this overall impression, your doctor can then decide whether burnout is present.
Burnout sick note
A diagnosis often leads to a burnout sick note as a first step. You are not alone with burnout - a statistical analysis by the AOK showed that an estimated 5.3 million sick days were caused by burnout sick notes in Canada in 2022. How long such a sick note can last varies greatly from individual to individual. Based on the figures, however, it can be estimated: With 159.8 days of incapacity for work due to burnout and an average of 6.8 cases per 1,000 members in 2022, the average downtime was probably around 23.5 days per affected member.
Such a burnout sick note can provide a lot of relief in the short term. However, for a long-term improvement in the symptoms, it is important to treat the burnout symptoms.
How is burnout treated?
There are rarely any special treatment options for burnout, not least because burnout is not a classified illness. If another physical or mental illness is present alongside burnout, treatment options are often derived from these diagnoses. For example, if a mental or physical illness is present at the same time, psychotherapy or medication can be used. Mindfulness, relaxation or stress management training to improve stress management is also sometimes offered in companies or through health insurance companies. However, the aim here is often prevention rather than treatment of burnout.
Effective, free immediate help for burnout
The Empowerment Avenue Stress and Burnout online therapy course is an effective treatment for burnout. Within 12 weeks, you will learn therapeutic strategies for dealing with stress and strain - and all without having to wait. The course can help you to reduce your stress levels and alleviate burnout symptoms in the long term. You can easily get a prescription for a digital health application like this free of charge. If your consultation confirms the suspicion of burnout, your family doctor, psychotherapist, psychiatrist or telemedicine provider can issue you a prescription for the therapy program directly.
Are you now asking yourself: “An online therapy course for burnout – how do I tell my doctor?” Then we can reassure you: We have prepared an information sheet for your visit to the practice that you can simply take with you to the appointment and show. Simply register here and we will send you all the helpful information by email.