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This New Diagnosable Health Problem May Surprise You

By Stepy Kamei

Most of us have felt tired after a long day at work. However, what happens when you find yourself constantly feeling fatigued -- not just after work, but before and during it as well? If this sounds familiar, you may have experienced something called burnout. It can be tempting to brush this off as just being tired, but it turns out that burnout may actually be more severe than any of us previously realized. In fact, the World Health Organization has recently announced that burnout is an official medical diagnosis. So what do you need to know about this condition, and how do you know if it's affecting you?

The 411 on Burnout

What classifies as burnout? Sometimes, it can be tricky figuring out the difference between mild frustration or tiredness from your job, versus all-out burnout. Fortunately, since burnout is now a legitimate medical diagnosis (specifically, it appears in the International Classification of Diseases, which is also known as ICD-11), the handbook lists out the diagnosable symptoms. These include:

  • Reduced professional efficacy
  • Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
  • Increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism relating to one's job

Still, the handbook recommends that doctors be sure to rule out conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders first, before making an official diagnosis of burnout. It also clarifies that these symptoms should only be related to a work environment, as opposed to other aspects of a person's lifestyle.

What to Do if You Experience Burnout

If you think you're experiencing the type of work-related stress that is chronic and persistent enough to classify as burnout, there are some important steps you should take for the sake of your health. First and foremost, it can greatly benefit you to see a doctor and describe your symptoms.

In addition to meeting with a healthcare professional, do what you can to improve your work life immediately. Try your best to limit time around coworkers who contribute to a negative atmosphere. Furthermore, consider making more time to cultivate friendships with coworkers who don't tend to bring you down. Having a friend or two in your place of work can make a huge difference in the amount of stress you experience on a day-to-day basis!

Finally, don't be afraid to reach out to friends and family outside of work who can provide support for you while you're struggling. Be honest about how you're feeling, and make sure to spend quality time with people who care about you and aren't related to your job in any way.

 To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Melbourne, Fla.

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