Phases of crisis mean no burnout

German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Neurology: Phases of crisis do not necessarily indicate a burnout

12.03.2012

Fatigue and exhaustion at the weekend are not the same as a mental illness like burnout or depression. However, if the condition persists or becomes permanent, sufferers should seek specialist or therapeutic treatment. Previously, the family doctor must exclude physical illnesses.

Almost daily, the media landscape reports on public commitments by actors, politicians or athletes. The Burnout Fatigue Debate has encouraged many people to stand by their own mental suffering. „The debate has brought the mentally ill out of the stigma“, praises the German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Neurology (DGPPN). At the same time, however, the experts warn against rash diagnoses and errors. There is a risk that the feeling of burnout „Fashion diagnosis“ becomes.

TV chef Tim Mälzer or Ralf Rangnick, former coach of Schlake 04: The public statements on burnout make it easier for many people to talk about their psychological suffering, as stated in the DGPPN's current position paper. On the basis of the diagnosis of burnout alone, employees were on sick leave for around 53 million days in 2010. Compared to the year 1995, sick days have risen by 80 percent due to the fatigue syndrome.

Burnout with severe sequelae
Anyone who complains about symptoms such as tiredness, listlessness, discomfort and exhaustion and the condition is not just a passing episode, should seek medical advice immediately. The constant exhaustion can provoke serious mental disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders or addictions, as Prof. Dr. med. Wolfgang Maier in Berlin reported. Also, physical complaints such as chronic pain, ringing in the ears, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure or recurring infections can be the expression of a burnout. A prolonged state of exhaustion can also be an early warning sign for psychosis or tumors, he warns the expert. Before therapies are tackled, the family doctor should be the first point of contact. If no organic findings have been made, the doctor will issue a referral to a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy or to a psychotherapist.

Warning of rash diagnosis
In its submitted paper, the professional society warns against any form of mental impairment or crisis as a burnout. The diagnosis is then undifferentiated and does not agree with the internationally valid classification system of mental illness (ICD 10, F-group). Who is therefore in a time phase „just overloaded“ feels, does not suffer from a manifested disease. Therefore, the burnout syndrome is not present when people suffer from stress, inner tension, short-term sleep disorders or a phased feeling of exhaustion. A free weekend or a short break away from work or private life is usually enough to relax. Clearly the specialists warn against equating burnout and depression. Misdiagnosis could lead to oversupply or undersupply for patients.

Burnout is developing into the overall social problem
„Employers and unions are obliged to reduce their workload“, For the social consequences of sick leave and early retirement due to mental illness can hardly be absorbed by the health system. „Such a trend must be stopped“ The Federal Minister of Labor, Ursula von der Leyen, also appealed in a greeting to the professional society. (Sb)

Read about:
Medical examination with constant exhaustion
Burnout Syndrome: Total Exhaustion
Constant stress puts the soul under pressure
Therapists and doctors often affected by burnout
Burn-out patients conceal their suffering
More and more people are affected by burnout syndrome
Underuse makes you ill: The Bore-out syndrome
Fashion diagnosis burnout syndrome

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