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Mental Health Conditions

Burnout Syndrome

Burnout (ICD-11, QD85) is a work syndrome of emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced performance caused by chronic overload without sufficient recovery.

Burnout syndrome is a state of chronic exhaustion caused by prolonged occupational overload. Since 2022, burnout has been recognized as a syndrome in ICD-11 (QD85).

The Three Dimensions of Burnout

According to Maslach and Jackson, burnout comprises:

  1. Emotional exhaustion

    • Feeling burned out
    • Lack of energy
    • Overwhelm experience

  2. Depersonalization/Cynicism

    • Distancing from work and colleagues
    • Negative attitude toward work
    • Cynical behavior

  3. Reduced performance

    • Experience of ineffectiveness
    • Decline in competence
    • Feelings of failure

Warning Signs

Early signs:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Sleep problems
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Frequent illnesses

Advanced symptoms:

  • Emotional numbness
  • Social withdrawal
  • Physical complaints
  • Depressive moods

Workplace Risk Factors

  • High workload without recovery
  • Lack of appreciation
  • Lack of control over work
  • Unclear expectations
  • Value conflicts

Prevention Through Risk Assessment

Psychological risk assessment identifies burnout risk factors early:

  • Recognize overload areas
  • Strengthen resources
  • Develop prevention measures

SafeMind helps systematically capture and reduce burnout risks.

Related Search Terms

burnoutburnout syndromeexhaustionoccupational overloademotional exhaustion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is burnout?

Burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion caused by prolonged occupational overload. It includes emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced performance.

Is burnout a recognized illness?

Since 2022, burnout has been recognized in ICD-11 as a syndrome (QD85) related to employment or unemployment, but not as a standalone disease.

How can burnout be prevented?

Prevention includes: work-life balance, regular recovery, realistic workload, social support and early identification of risk factors through risk assessment.

Related Terms

Psychological Strain

Occupational

Psychische Beanspruchung is the individual response to Belastung - the same workload may activate one person and exhaust another based on personal resources.

FABA

Assessment

FABA classifies employees into four work-related behavior patterns - including two burnout risk profiles - to enable targeted individual prevention.

BGM

Workplace

BGM unifies mandatory occupational safety and BEM with voluntary health promotion into one strategy for lasting employee health and company productivity.

Stressors

Occupational

Stressors are physical, psychological and social triggers of strain - such as time pressure or noise - assessed across all four GDA characteristic areas.

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