Is Burnout in the Workplace Being Misdiagnosed?

A study of employees with burnout found that they are less likely to participate in work-based interventions - such as stress reduction or occupational therapy/education - than their co-workers, but are more likely to be treated medically with antidepressants or anxiety drugs. In other words, burnout was associated with higher rates of individual interventions - such as counseling, psychotherapy, and medications - than work-based interventions. In fact, the study found, workers with severe burnout were more than five times as likely to receive individual interventions, compared to those not suffering burnout.

In a research project led by Kirsi Ahola, M.A., of the Finnish Institute for Occupational Health in Helsinki, Ahola and her colleagues studied questionnaire data on burnout in the workplace. In an Oct. 12 press release, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins (LWW), a medical and health professional resource, reported on the research and the findings.

More than 3,200 Finnish employees participated in the study by completing a burnout questionnaire. Burnout for the purposes of this study was defined as exhaustion with feelings of incompetence or a sense that one's work isn't worthwhile. The participants were rated as having no burnout, mild burnout or severe burnout.

The researchers found that workers reporting mild burnout were more likely to receive several types of medications for mental health problems, especially antidepressants. For workers with severe burnout, rates of antidepressant use were increased even after adjustment for the presence of depression and anxiety.

In their report on the study, Ahola and her colleagues write: "The high antidepressant prescription rates raise the possibility that, in some cases, the symptoms of burnout have been misinterpreted as a mental disorder requiring medications and have therefore been treated with antidepressants or other psychotropics." It may be that when people suffering workplace burnout consult their family physicians, the doctors believe medications are the only help they can offer because they have no contact or involvement with their patient's workplace.

Nonetheless, the researchers write, "these findings suggest that the current situation in the prevention and treatment of burnout is not optimal." However, it could be that workers suffering from burnout may be reluctant to talk openly or with co-workers about their workplace problems or how they're feeling, possibly for fear of being stigmatized or misunderstood.

In summation of their examination of the data, the researchers state that when symptoms of burnout exist, more effort needs to be made to offer stress management and occupational interventions to those employees. Specifically, the researchers suggest that "[O]ccupational health professionals may be encouraged to contact supervisors, with the consent of the employees', to co-operatively discuss and adjust the work situation with the aim of reducing work stress."

In an online article, "10 proven antidotes for workplace burnout," registered nurse and author Holly Moore defines burnout as the mental and physical exhaustion that results from long-term stress, overwork, and spreading oneself too thin. Interestingly, not one of the antidotes she recommends involves medical intervention or any suggestion that burnout is a mental health disorder. On the other hand, she recommends a suffering employee find ways to combat stress and replenish their energy, including developing a support system.

Sources:

Press release, "Workers with Burnout Less Likely to Receive Occupational Interventions;" http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534289/

Article, "Burnout: Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention;" http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm