WHO Sets the Record Straight on Burn‑Out
What the World Health Organisation Just Announced
On Tuesday (May 28), the WHO told the world that burn‑out is still an occupational phenomenon—a workplace stress syndrome that can drive people to seek help, but it’s not a medical condition that pops up on a treatment bill. This clarification came just a day after a slip‑up that had the WHO mistakenly claiming burn‑out was now officially listed in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Why the Mix‑Up Happened
- The latest ICD‑11, approved by the World Health Assembly (WHO’s annual meeting), updates the disease catalogue that will go live in January 2022.
- Earlier editions (ICD‑10) did mention burn‑out, but the definition was tweaked for this new version.
- WHO noted the change: “Based on existing research, the definition has been modified.”
New Definition (in plain English)
According to WHO:
Burn‑out is a syndrome arising from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed.
It applies only to the occupational context—so don’t use the term to describe your breakup or burnt‑out coffee habit.
What’s New in ICD‑11
- Compulsive Sexual Behaviour moves into its own mental disorder category, but it’s not lumped with addiction.
- Video gaming is now officially recognized as an addiction, standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with gambling and drug use.
- Transgenderism has been shifted from the mental disorder list to the “conditions related to sexual health” section.
So, while you can still ask for help if the job’s knocking you down, you’ll find that burn‑out won’t show up as a diagnosis in your medical file—just a real‑world reminder that work pressure can be a heavy load.
