WHO classifies work-related burnout in syndrome

Zephyr_p / Shutterstock

• Proponents of clbadification change say the move will raise awareness about burnout and work-related stress.
• The new WHO definition defines burnout as a "professional phenomenon" and not as a disease.
• Stress management techniques can help prevent burnout.

A long-standing problem in workplaces around the world caught the attention of the international community earlier this week. World Health Organization (WHO) announced he would be updating his definition of "burnout" to align it with other syndromes.

Revealed in the latest version of its International Clbadification of Diseases (ICD-11), WHO defined burnout as a "professional phenomenon" related to "chronic stress at work that was not managed with success". Employee burnout has long been considered a major problem for both employers and employees, but this had not been recognized by the WHO before the publication of ICD-10, which did not Was used by the international community only in 1994.

Risk Factors for Burnout and Causes

In its announcement of yesterday, the WHO said that burnout could be determined through three symptoms: "feelings of exhaustion or exhaustion of energy; heightened mental distance from his work, or feelings of negativity or cynicism related to his work, reduced professional efficiency ". The organization states that burnout is strictly related to stress at work, does not apply to other aspects of a person's life and does not constitute a medical diagnosis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, burnout is an "emotional exhaustion" that may be due to a variety of factors, including a lack of control at work, unclear expectations, dysfunctional work environments, lack of social support and a bad work-life balance It indicates that you will be more susceptible to burnout if you "identify so strongly with work that you lack balance between your professional life and your personal life; help the profession, such as health care, feel that you have little or no control over your work, or think your work is monotonous. "

Dealing with burnout

One of the biggest challenges in burnout is the lack of evidence-based guidelines on how to treat it. Although everyone manages stress differently, burnout can lead to more serious problems if it is not under control, including physical exhaustion, insomnia, fatigue, and fatigue. addiction and heart disease.

Although the WHO says that burnout is not a real illness, the Mayo Clinic offers several techniques to help you manage stress at work:

• Consider your options. If your work responsibilities cause extreme stress, it may be time to discuss the problem with your supervisor. Once the supervisor is aware of the problem, he or she can suggest a solution or help you prioritize your tasks.
• Find help. Seeking help from family members, co-workers or other people in your life can be difficult, but it can help you deal with your stress.
• Participate in relaxation activities. Sometimes the best way to handle stress is to take a break. Activities such as yoga or meditation can calm your nerves and help you refocus on what's important to you, both professionally and personally. The key is to find something that calms you down and to do it.
• Be more active. Physical exertion can also be a great way to distract your mind from the challenges of your workplace. Whether it's a sport you like, a trail that you like to walk on or a hobby that makes you move, exercise can release some essential endorphins.
• Rest. Getting a full night of sleep is important, whether you are burned out or not. Sleep is the way your body regenerates. Eating enough can help you press the reset button.
• Have conscience. When stress wins you, it's easy to lose your temper. When this happens, the Mayo Clinic suggests focusing on your breathing and "being intensely aware of how you feel and feel every moment, without interpretation or judgment."

Among other coping strategies that you can use to manage stress and combat burnout, you need to set goals and disconnect yourself from your devices and social media.