"Burnout syndrome" is an official medical diagnosis

Most of us have heard of burnout or experienced it, but they didn't know it was that or just thought of  it as serious fatigue. Given how high workplace stress levels have been over the past few years, it would be surprising that someone hasn't felt "burned out." This set of behavioral characteristics and symptoms is rooted in our cultural consciousness and can even define an entire generation.

The condition of "burnout" is described as "a syndrome that is the result of chronic stress in the workplace," according to the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).  [ref. 1]  It is important to clarify the specificities of the condition described in the definition, which relates only to events in a professional context, but not to other areas of life.

Burnout syndrome is defined in ICD-11 as follows:

'Burnout is a syndrome distinct from chronic stress in the workplace that has not been successfully managed. Meets three main characteristics:

• Feeling of energy depletion or exhaustion;

• Increased mental alienation from a person's work, or feelings of negativity or cynicism associated with his work;

• Reduced professional efficacy (effectiveness).

In a press release, the WHO announced that Burnout syndrome will be included in a chapter focusing on 'Factors influencing health status or contact with health services'. The international organization notes that the syndrome is not included as a medical condition, but rather as a reason for people to seek help for their mental health.

There are several possible reasons for this time delay. A medical report on the subject dates back to 1974, when psychologist Herbert Freudenberger used the term to describe the symptoms of "physical or mental collapse caused by exhaustion or stress." A slightly older use of the term to describe similar symptoms appeared in a book in 1961. Despite this evidence that the idea had been circulating for some time, twenty years later a test was created that could determine if someone was suffering from burnout.  [ref. 2]  [ref. 3]  And over thirty more years passed until 2019, when "burnout syndrome" officially finds a place in the tenth edition of the ICD.

Looking at the professional burnout, which is associated with long working hours, poor work-life balance and the inability to rest, "boreout" is formed when we are bored with our work to such an extent that we consider it completely meaningless. If someone has to deal with this syndrome, tasks seem devoid of value and meaning, has no motivation for anything and nothing holds back his attention.

This less well-known syndrome doesn't get as much attention as it should, but experts say this phenomenon - which happens in different industries - can lead to some of the same health problems for workers. It's also bad for companies because a workforce with borout syndrome can lead to high staff turnover and work process problems. Despite the abundance of learning, work and entertainment opportunities, a number of factors can cause "boreout," including working in a demoralizing physical environment, or feeling underdeveloped for an extended period. If we know what "boreout" syndrome is, and if we are able to identify it, it can help a lot to deal with it.

There are also actions that workers and companies can take to alleviate it. And experts suggest that if we are part of an evolving new world of work that prioritises the well-being of workers and provides an environment for development, "boreout" could be analysed and prevented, significantly limiting the damage to people and businesses.