[Burnout in doctors]

Abstract

According to the international ICD classification, burnout is not a defined disease. Signs of burnout are frequently associated with psychiatric symptoms. Many doctors experience a reality shock at the beginning of their professional careers due to the great discrepancy between expectations and reality. Frustration and overwork eventually develop into exhaustion, often substance misuse and resignation. Especially doctors usually resort to medical help only in the final stage of burnout when clear psychiatric symptoms are recognizable. Hence, it is all the more important to heed the early warning signs and to counteract increasing stress.