Burnout & chronic stress

Burnout is a syndrome that results from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed¹. Rather than being classified as a standalone medical condition, burnout refers to a cluster of physical and psychological symptoms resulting from chronic or severe occupational stress.

According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) international classification of diseases (ICD)¹, burnout has three dimensions,

  • “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”

Burnout is a reaction to the demands of a person’s working environment and job demands. Rates of burnout are significantly higher in trauma-exposed workforces, which indicates that engagement or exposure to trauma can be a significant contributing factor.

"Stress itself is not an injury but if it becomes frequent, prolonged or severe it can cause psychological and physical harm."

Safe Work Australia²

How does chronic stress create injury?

“Stress is the body’s reaction when a worker perceives the demands of their work exceed their ability or resources to cope.”

- Safe Work Australia²

Stressors are stimuli that trigger a physiological and psychological response in the body that helps a person to respond to a perceived challenge or threat. Adrenaline and cortisol hormones are released, which raises heart rate and blood pressure, boosts blood glucose levels and redirects energy away from the immune system to other areas of the body.

When the stress response system is chronically engaged, this can lead to a number of physiological changes and resulting medical conditions³⁻⁴.

These include:

  • Psychological conditions
    eg. Depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD

  • Sleep disturbance & disorders

  • Substance use and addiction

  • Suppressed immune system function

  • Gastrointestinal issues

  • Muscle tension and headaches

  • Respiratory issues

  • Skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
    Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, or heart attack

  • Increased risk of obesity and diabetes

    1. World Health Organisation [WHO]. (2019). Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases

    1. Safe Work Australia. (2022). Model code of practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-managing-psychosocial-hazards-work

    2. F. Chan, J., & P. Andersen, J. (2021). Physiological Stress Responses Associated with High-Risk Occupational Duties. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.93943

    3. Work Safe Victoria. (2023). The effects of work-related stress. https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/pdf/effects-work-related-stress

    4. Lovelock, K. & WorkSafe New Zealand. (2019). Psychosocial hazards in work environments and effective approaches for managing them. https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/psychosocial-hazards-in-work-environments-and-effective-approaches-for-managing-them/

  • Model code of practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work - Safe Work Australia

Developed by Amy Nicholas (2023) with design support from KirstyMoegerlein.com

Disclaimer: This website is intended as a general information resource only, recommendations provided here should not be substituted for appropriate risk management processes or legal advice. All organisations and individuals should consider and implement changes that are appropriate to their circumstances.