| Exhaustion disorder | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Stress-induced exhaustion disorder |
| Specialty | General practice, occupational medicine, rehabilitation medicine, psychiatry |
| Symptoms | exhaustion, reduced cognitive ability and various physical symptoms |
| Duration | Long-term recovery |
| Causes | Prolonged and elevated stress |
| Risk factors | Being female, working in care professions |
| Diagnostic method | Clinical |
| Treatment | Symptomatic |
| Prevalence | unknown |
Exhaustion disorder or stress-induced exhaustion disorder (ED or SED, Swedish: Utmattningssyndrom) is a diagnosis used in Swedish healthcare to indicate a maladaptive stress disorder more severe than adjustment disorder. Common signs include exhaustion, reduced cognitive ability and a range of physical symptoms. The symptoms develop gradually as a result of prolonged and elevated stress, but often culminate abruptly as the disorder becomes fulminant. Recovery will generally take from six months to a full year, sometimes longer. There are significant overlaps between symptoms of exhaustion disorder and depression, two conditions that frequently occur simultaneously. There are also many similarities between exhaustion disorder and occupational burnout. In common Swedish vernacular "utbrändhet" (burnout) is used synonymously with Exhaustion disorder, but this usage is dissuaded in professional settings.[1]
The diagnosis was introduced in 2003, and with support from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare it was included in the Swedish edition of ICD-10 in 2005. Since its introduction it has become a leading cause for sick leave in Sweden. Among patients receiving compensation from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency for more than 90 days, it is the most common diagnosis and women are at higher risk than men. The diagnosis is not used by any other healthcare system internationally.[2]
Treatment approaches vary between healthcare providers and the different regions of the country. Common elements include psychoeducation, physical activity and individual psychotherapy or group therapy. Multimodal rehabilitation programs have also been offered by specialized providers. Several treatment options are effective at reducing symptoms, but no available treatment option successfully reduces the duration until return to work.[3][4] Due to the limited effect of available treatment options, preventative measures are considered the most important intervention to reduce the burden of disease.[5]
- ^ Socialstyrelsen 2003, p. 7.
- ^ Clason van de Leur 2024, p. 184.
- ^ SBU Utvärderar (359) 2022, p. 117.
- ^ Lindsäter et al. 2022, pp. 7–8.
- ^ Wallensten et al. 2019, p. 340.