About 20,000 people are sick-listed every year for burnout syndrome, what was previously called exhaustion. It is about every sixth sick-leave that is caused by psychiatric problems that last more than two weeks, according to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The median duration of sick-leave is around half a year.
Only in Sweden
But from 2028, the diagnosis will disappear from Sweden, reports Psychology Magazine. Then, the international diagnostic system will be updated from ICD-10 to ICD-11, and it is only in Sweden that burnout syndrome exists as a diagnosis.
Just specifically the diagnosis of burnout syndrome with the specific criteria is only something we have in Sweden. But they have found other solutions in other countries to try to characterize this clinical picture, says Elin Lindsäter, associate professor at the Karolinska Institute, to TT.
It's not about tens of thousands of people who are currently sick-listed not being so in the future.
Rather, I think everyone from the political level down to the floor knows that there are people who have great suffering and who do not function at work or in their daily lives, and who may need sick-leave, says Elin Lindsäter.
Used superficially
Lindsäter says that some meet the criteria for depression. There are also other stress-related diagnoses.
Burnout syndrome has been used somewhat superficially as a diagnosis within healthcare, so my hope is that now maybe they will make a more thorough assessment.
It may mean that treatments become more accurate, she hopes.
I think it can get better, not least for those who have a very complex problem.
Long-awaited update
Magdalena Fresk, head of the unit for classifications and terminology at the National Board of Health and Welfare, says that the agency manages the Swedish translation of WHO's diagnostic classification and the work on the translation will continue throughout 2025 – only then can they start looking at the consequences.
The previous diagnostic system had many years on its back and according to Fresk, this is "a long-awaited, medically updated version".
There are changes in the classification and we know that burnout syndrome is not included as its own category. We know that and we need to take a closer look at it, she says.
We have a number of questions that we know we will need to work on so that there are no problems for patients and so that it works as well as possible going forward.
Burnout syndrome is caused by severe stress in combination with too little recovery. It was previously called exhaustion or burnout depression.
Common symptoms are fatigue (that cannot be rested away), burnout, sleep disorders, anxiety, concentration difficulties, palpitations, and sound sensitivity.
The diagnosis was introduced in the early 2000s and about 20,000 people are sick-listed every year for burnout syndrome. Last year, the diagnosis was the second most common for started sick-leaves (after acute stress reaction).
Sources: 1177, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.
