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Concept
Occupational burnout
Summary
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), occupational burnout is a phenomenon resulting from chronic work-related stress, with symptoms characterized by "feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy". While occupational burnout may influence health and can be a reason for people contacting health services, it is not itself classified by the WHO as a medical condition or mental disorder. WHO additionally states that "Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life."
According to Wolfgang Kaskcha, "Burnout as a phenomenon has probably existed at all times and in all cultures." He notes that the condition is described in the Book of Exodus (18:17–18).
Gordon Parker believes the ancient European concept of acedia refers to burnout, and not depression as many others believe.
In 1869, New York neurologist George Beard used the term "neurasthenia" to describe a very broad condition caused by the exhaustion of the nervous system, which was thought to be particularly found in "civilized, intellectual communities." The concept soon became popular, and many in the United States believed themselves to have it. Some came to call it "Americanitis". The rest cure was a commonly prescribed treatment (though there were many others). Beard yet further broadened the potential symptoms of neurasthenia over time, so that almost any symptom or behaviour could be deemed to be caused by it. Don R Lipsitt would later wonder if the term "burnout" was similarly too broadly defined to be useful. Psychologist, Wilmar Schaufeli, draws a parallel between burnout and neurasthenia by pointing out similarities between the two. Some of these similarities include that both conditions are mainly characterized by mental exhaustion and both of them are considered as diseases of their time, products of the society that we live in.
Official source
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