Exhaustion Disorder Research Articles

Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Swedish public sector is facing great challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals, due to increasing sick leave numbers. The aim of this study was to describe Swedish occupational therapists’ occupational health in terms of risk factors in the social and organizational work environment, occupational balance, and work-related mental health problems. A web survey was emailed to all working members of the Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists (n = 7600) and 3658 answered the survey. The web survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, social and organizational environment, occupational balance, and work-related health. The occupational therapists in general rated their workload as high, which was described as leading to increased stress, difficulties doing a good job, and increased job turnover. They also reported having difficulties maintaining occupational balance. Almost a fifth reported having symptoms related to mild incipient exhaustion or a pronounced exhaustion disorder. Almost 60 percent reported having, during the last year, seriously considered seeking new employment as an occupational therapist and 35 percent had seriously intended to leave their profession. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to improve the work situation of occupational therapists. If not, increases in mental health problems, sick leave and job turnover rates may seriously jeopardize the welfare system by eroding healthcare.

Long-term follow-up of residual symptoms in patients treated for stress-related exhaustion

BackgroundMany patients with stress-related exhaustion seem to struggle with long-term recovery. The primary aim of this study was to explore residual symptoms and perceived recovery in patients previously treated for stress-related exhaustion, 7 years after seeking care.MethodsA total of 217 former patients (74% women) previously treated for exhaustion disorder were asked to participate in follow-ups 2, 3, 5, and 7 years post treatment. Symptoms of depression, and anxiety were measured with questionnaires. Remaining symptoms of extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, problems with concentration, problems with memory and reduced stress tolerance, were rated with single item questions. A subgroup of patients (n = 163) participated in a clinical assessment to confirm residual stress-related exhaustion not caused by other diseases.ResultsAlmost half of the patients previously treated for stress-related exhaustion perceive fatigue 7 years after initially seeking care, and as many as 73% reported decreased stress tolerance. The clinical assessment confirmed that a third of the patients were clinically judged as still suffering from stress-related exhaustion. Male and female patients showed similar patterns regarding residual symptoms.ConclusionsOne third of patients with exhaustion disorder are clinically judged to have exhaustion, 7 years after seeking care. Further studies are needed to elucidate the reason for such a long-term recovery and ultimately to identify methods for prevention.

Effect of Workplace Violence and Psychological Stress Responses on Medical-Surgical Nurses' Medication Intake.

Workplace violence is a prevalent phenomenon in the health-care sector globally, but few studies have examined its impact on nurses' use of prescribed and/or over-the-counter medications to manage signs and symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect effect of workplace violence, through the pathway of psychological stress responses, on nurses' frequencies of medication intake. An occupational stress and health outcomes model was tested in this study. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from 551 medical-surgical nurses in British Columbia was conducted. Both emotional and physical workplace violence were examined. Emotional exhaustion and posttraumatic stress disorder were psychological stress responses to workplace violence. Emotional and physical violence from patients and/or families were the most prevalent sources of workplace violence. Physical violence and psychological stress responses increased the frequency of medication intake after controlling for nurse characteristics. Emotional violence was not related to medication intake over and above the effect of psychological stress responses. Physical and emotional violence elicited psychological stress responses resulting in increased medication use. Workplace violence triggers psychological stress responses with adverse outcomes on nurses' health and well-being.

Kulnun kennara og starfsaðstæður: Þróun og samanburður við aðra opinbera sérfræðinga

Frá efnahagshruninu 2008 hefur niðurskurður fjármagns leitt til þess meðal annars að minna svigrúm hefur gefist til að takast á við brýn úrlausnarefni í skólastarfi. Vísbendingar eru um að líðan kennara hafi versnað frá árinu 2008 og því er mikilvægt að kanna hvort breytingar hafi orðið á einkennum kulnunar frá fyrri rannsóknum meðal grunnskólakennara á árunum 1999 og 2005. Sami spurningalisti og notaður var í fyrri rannsóknum, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-ES) var lagður fyrir 515 grunnskólakennara í Reykjavík. Konur voru 85%, karlar 15% og svarhlutfallið var 38%. Einnig voru lagðir fyrir listar sem meta annars vegar örmögnunarröskun (The Karolinska Emotional Exhaustion Scale – KEDS) og hins vegar starfsaðstæður (Job Demands-Resource Scale – JDRS). Í ljós kom að einkenni kulnunar meðal grunnskólakennara hafa aukist frá því fyrir hrun, einkum tilfinningaþrot, en grunnskólakennarar meta starfsárangur enn nokkuð mikinn og finna varla til hlutgervingar gagnvart nemendum. Um 42% grunnskólakennara mæta greiningarviðmiðum fyrir örmögnunarröskun samanborið við 31–38% félagsmanna BHM. Hvað starfsaðstæður varðar meta grunnskólakennarar álag mikið en telja sig hafa tækifæri til að vaxa í starfi og fá stuðning frá stofnun, t.d. stjórnendum. Grunnskólakennarar finna til starfsöryggis en þeir hafa ekki mikla möguleika á framgangi í starfi. Álag reyndist hafa sterkust tengsl við kjarnaeinkenni kulnunar, tilfinningaþrot, í líkani Maslach og einnig örmögnunarröskun. Möguleikar til vaxtar í starfi og stuðningur stofnunar virðast hafa verndandi áhrif. Niðurstöður sýna að kulnun hefur aukist og mikilvægt er að huga að starfsaðstæðum grunnskólakennara, sérstaklega of miklu álagi. Ástæður þessa mikla álags geta verið margvíslegar en hugsanlega má rekja þær til hegðunarvanda í nemendahópi, skorts á viðeigandi úrræðum í málefnum nemenda sem veita þarf sérstakan stuðning, aukins foreldrasamstarfs og almenns virðingarleysis gagnvart kennarastarfinu í samfélaginu.

Hopeful struggling for health: Experiences of participating in computerized cognitive training and aerobic training for persons with stress-related exhaustion disorder.

It is important to understand how people with exhaustion disorder (ED) perceive interventions aiming to facilitate cognitive functioning. Therefore, the overall aim of this study was to explore experiences from persons with ED after participating in a 12-week intervention of either computerized cognitive training or aerobic training. Both interventions were performed in addition to a multimodal rehabilitation programme. Thirteen participants, 11 women and 2 men, were interviewed about pros and cons with participating in the training. The interviews were analysed with Qualitative Content Analysis. The analyses resulted in the theme hopeful struggling for health and the categories support, motivation and sensations. It was hard work recovering from ED. Support from others who are in the same situation, family members, and technology and routines for the training were strongly emphasized as beneficial for recovery. Timing, i.e., matching activities to the rehabilitation programme, getting feedback and perceiving joy in the training were important for motivation. Participants in both interventions experienced positive sensations with improved memory performance, everyday life functioning and increased faith in the prospect of recovery. However, it is important to consider various aspects of support and motivation in both computerized cognitive training and aerobic training to enable participants to pursue their participation.

Mental fatigue in stress-related exhaustion disorder: Structural brain correlates, clinical characteristics and relations with cognitive functioning

Emerging evidence suggests that mental fatigue is a central component of the cognitive and clinical characteristics of stress-related exhaustion disorder (ED). Yet, the underlying mechanisms of mental fatigue in this patient group are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate cortical and subcortical structural neural correlates of mental fatigue in patients with ED, and to explore the association between mental fatigue and cognitive functioning. Fifty-five patients with clinical ED diagnosis underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Mental fatigue was assessed using the Concentration subscale from the Checklist Individual Strength. Patients with high levels of mental fatigue (n = 30) had smaller caudate and putamen volumes compared to patients with low-moderate levels of mental fatigue (n = 25). No statistically significant differences in cortical thickness were observed between the groups. Mediation analysis showed that mental fatigue mediated the relationship between caudate volume and working memory; specifically, smaller caudate volume was associated with higher level of mental fatigue and mental fatigue was positively associated with working memory performance. Our findings demonstrate that the structural integrity of the striatum is of relevance for the subjective perception of mental fatigue in ED, while also highlighting the complex relationship between mental fatigue, cognitive performance and its neural underpinnings.

Mental health care in Sweden

Background: Reforming psychiatric services in Sweden in the 1960s and 1970s caused a shift from inpatient to outpatient units. Methods: Besides my lifetime experiences in receiving training, teaching, and practicing psychiatry, I collected information from the literature pertinent to the mental health care in Sweden. Results: In this review, I have highlighted some of the more important mental health events in Sweden. The number of psychiatric beds in Sweden has reduced from 37,000 to 4,500. The national health insurance and the ethos of the welfare state have created an equitable and generous environment for patients who are mentally ill. The suicide rate has gone down over the last three decades. There has been a substantial increase in a Swedish diagnosis called exhaustion disorder (burnout), especially in medical staff, office workers, and in the schools. Also, against all predictions, children and adolescents increasingly report having aches, insomnia, and depressive symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has increased substantially in the last 15 years. Moving from the International Classification of Diseases, version 9 (ICD-9) in the 1980s to ICD-11 and the DSM nosologies was accompanied by evidence-based guidelines, resulting in revised curricula for undergraduate and graduate training. Current researchers are showing a growing interest in autoimmune conditions that are comorbid with traditional psychiatric disorders. Neurovirology and psychiatry have an interface with the COVID-19 pandemic that will require an immediate action plan and collaborative efforts. Conclusion: Demographic changes due to increasing proportions of elderly and multiethnic populations, as well as the COVID-19 epidemic, will profoundly affect the future provision of services.

Longitudinal associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and stress-related exhaustion, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances

BackgroundIn the last few years, so-called “common mental disorders”, including adjustment disorder and stress-related exhaustion, have outrivalled musculoskeletal disorders as being the leading cause of long-term sick leave in Sweden. Cardiorespiratory fitness level defined as “the maximal amount of physiological work that an individual can do as measured by oxygen consumption” has in many studies shown to reduce the risk of several life-style related diseases and moreover to improve mood, well-being and physical performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate, longitudinal associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and self-reported physical activity levels and the severity of symptoms connected to stress-related exhaustion, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among women clinically diagnosed with stress-related exhaustion disorder (ED).MethodsThe study was that of a longitudinal cohort study consisting of women (n = 88) diagnosed with stress-related ED in a specialist clinic in Gothenburg, Sweden. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with the Åstrand indirect test of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and subjective measures of physical activity levels were rated on 4-graded physical activity scale. To measure and follow symptoms of ED over time the SMBQ-questionnaire (Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire) was used. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure depression and anxiety. A proxy variable for capturing overall disturbed sleep used to measure sleep. Longitudinal associations for continuous outcome variables and the dichotomous variable sleep were analysed using mixed- effects regression models with random intercepts. Regression coefficients along with the 95% confidence interval (CI) are presented as measures of association. Both exposures and the outcome were measured simultaneously over six waves (T1–T6).ResultsThe results showed statistically significant associations between level of fitness and reduced symptoms of stress-related exhaustion over time. Best improvements over time were seen in patients having a medium cardiorespiratory fitness level. No associations could be found between cardiorespiratory fitness level over time and anxiety, depression or sleep disturbances.ConclusionHaving medium cardiorespiratory fitness was positivity associated with a more sustained reduction in symptoms of ED overtime compared to those having low or high cardiorespiratory fitness levels. The clinical implication following this result is that an individual recommendation based on a medium level of physical activity in line with the recommendations from ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) is preferable compared to recommendations including more vigorous physical activity in order to restore and sustainably reduce symptoms of exhaustion disorder over time.

Effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and return-to-work intervention for patients on sick leave due to stress-related disorders: Results from a randomized trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate specific effects for patients with adjustment or exhaustion disorder, the Stress subgroup (n=152), regarding symptom severity and sick leave after CBT, a return-to-work intervention (RTW-I), and a combination of them (COMBO), using data from a randomized trial. In the original study, primary care patients on sick leave (N=211) were randomized to CBT (n=64), RTW-I (n=67), or COMBO (n=80). Blinded Clinician Severity Rating (CSR) of symptoms and sick leave registry data were primary outcomes. Subgroup analyses showed that for the Stress subgroup, CBT led to greater reduction of symptoms than RTW-I posttreatment, but COMBO did not differ from CBT or RTW-I. Regarding sick leave, there was no difference between treatments in the Stress subgroup. An exploratory analysis of the treatment effects in a subgroup of patients with depression, anxiety or insomnia indicates that RTW-I reduced sick leave faster than CBT. We conclude that CBT may be promising as an effective treatment of stress and exhaustion disorder.

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapist-Guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Stress-Related Disorders: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundStress-related disorders are associated with significant suffering, functional impairment, and high societal costs. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) is a promising treatment for stress-related disorders but has so far not been subjected to health economic evaluation.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of ICBT for patients with stress-related disorders in the form of adjustment disorder (AD) or exhaustion disorder (ED). We hypothesized that ICBT, compared with a waitlist control (WLC) group, would generate improvements at low net costs, thereby making it cost-effective.MethodsHealth economic data were obtained in tandem with a randomized controlled trial of a 12-week ICBT in which patients (N=100) were randomized to an ICBT (n=50) or a WLC (n=50) group. Health outcomes and costs were surveyed pre- and posttreatment. We calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) based on remission rates and incremental cost-utility ratios (ICURs) based on health-related quality of life. Bootstrap sampling was used to assess the uncertainty of our results.ResultsThe ICER indicated that the most likely scenario was that ICBT led to higher remission rates compared with the WLC and was associated with slightly larger reductions in costs from pre- to posttreatment. ICBT had a 60% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness to pay (WTP) of US $0 and a 96% probability of being cost-effective at a WTP of US $1000. The ICUR indicated that ICBT also led to improvements in quality of life at no net societal cost. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of our results.ConclusionsThe results suggest that ICBT is a cost-effective treatment for patients suffering from AD or ED. Compared with no treatment, ICBT for these patients yields large effects at no or minimal societal net costs.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02540317; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02540317

Growth factors and neurotrophins in patients with stress-related exhaustion disorder

Growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), and neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotophic factor (BDNF), have attracted attention in studies of the biological effects of long-term stress exposure due to their neuroprotective roles.This study investigated whether circulating levels of EGF, VEGF and BDNF were altered in individuals with stress-related exhaustion disorder. Forty patients diagnosed with exhaustion disorder and 40 healthy subjects (50% women) provided fasting blood samples for analysis of EGF, VEGF, and BDNF in plasma.We found significantly lower levels of EGF, VEGF, and BDNF in patients with ED compared to healthy controls. This pattern was seen in both male and female patients. Given the important roles of BDNF and VEGF for brain plasticity and neurogenesis, decreased levels after long-term stress exposure could indicate increased risk of neuronal damage and cognitive impairments in this patient group.

Naked in the eyes of the public: A phenomenological study of the lived experience of suffering from burnout while waiting for recognition to be ill.

Although there has been a focus on problematic issues related to health care services and complaints made by patients, individuals who suffer from medically unexplained syndromes continue to report being epistemically marginalized or excluded by health professionals. The aim of this article is to uncover a deeper understanding of the what-ness of experiencing being naked in the eyes of the public while waiting to be recognized as ill. Therefore, a phenomenological approach was chosen to inductively and holistically understand the human experience in this context-specific setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two men and six women between 25 and 65 years of age, who had been on sick leave for more than 52 weeks. Their symptoms were consistent with Exhaustion Disorder (ICD-10, F43.8A). The meaning of the interviewees' lived experience was explored using a life-world approach to phenomenological reflection and writing. The participants described their experience of encountering the general practitioner as taking part in a battle. Feeling distrusted by others seemed to result in disconnection from their habitual lifeworld, which in turn triggered a shame reaction. Additionally, the study showed a possible distrust related to several communication levels within the health care system, which influenced the recovery process negatively. Lack of experienced support can lead to exacerbated feelings of distress. Accordingly, the psychosocial experience of being ill might be as important as its unknown aetiology. Therefore, in the context of these interpersonal relations, both norms, values, and attitudes, and issues of power need to be considered and addressed properly.

Comparison of exhaustion symptoms in patients with stress-related and other psychiatric and somatic diagnoses

BackgroundSeveral rating scales assessing stress-related symptoms of exhaustion have emerged in recent years. However, more knowledge is needed about the performance of these rating scales in patients with stress-related disorders as well as in other patient groups. With the recently developed Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS), we compared symptoms of exhaustion in different patient groups that were sorted according to diagnosis.MethodsPatients were sampled consecutively from departments of occupational medicine (DOM) at three Danish hospitals. The total study group comprised 698 care-seeking patients (487 women). Patients with stress-related diagnoses (n = 217; the International Classification of Diseases [ICD]-10 code F43: reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorder) were compared to a diverse group of patients with a range of somatic diagnoses (n = 338) and to patients with other psychiatric diagnoses (n = 143), including subgroups with major depression disorder (n = 34; F32 and F33) and problems related to employment and unemployment (n = 99; Z56). The data were analysed using linear mixed models with the SPSS statistical program.ResultsThe mean KEDS sum score in patients with stress-related diagnoses (29.3; SD = 8.0) was significantly higher than in patients with other psychiatric diagnoses (25.9; SD = 9.5) and in patients with somatic diagnoses (17.6; SD = 10.8). The subgroup with a major depression disorder had high mean KEDS sum scores (31.4, SD = 8.1), similar to patients with stress-related diagnoses, while the mean KEDS sum score in patients with problems related to employment and unemployment (Z56) was 23.5 (SD = 9.0). Young and old patients scored similarly on KEDS, but in patients with somatic diagnoses, female patients scored significantly higher than male patients.ConclusionThe symptoms of exhaustion measured with KEDS were higher in patients with stress-related diagnoses and major depression disorder than in patients with somatic diagnoses. The intermediate level of the symptoms of exhaustion that were associated with problems related to employment and unemployment, (Z56) compared to the lower level of the symptoms with somatic diagnoses, suggests that KEDS might be useful in detecting mild, prodromal states of exhaustion. This needs further investigation.

Randomized controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy and a workplace intervention for sickness absence due to mental disorders.

Mental disorders contribute to high rates of sickness absence (SA) and impaired work functioning. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of 3 interventions targeting SA of workers. Participants (n = 352; 78.4% females) of working age with current employment, and SA due to depression, anxiety disorders, or exhaustion disorder, were recruited to the study and randomized to (a) acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), (b) a workplace dialogue intervention (WDI), (c) a combination of ACT and WDI, or (d) treatment as usual (TAU). For SA days, there was a significant interaction effect for the follow-up period, in which ACT + WDI generated more SA compared with TAU. When diagnostic group was included as a moderator, participants with exhaustion disorder had less SA days in the WDI group compared with TAU. For symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress-related ill health, there were significant interaction effects for ACT and ACT + WDI, when compared with TAU, from pre- to postmeasurement (small to moderate between-groups effect sizes). Within-group effect sizes pre- to postmeasurement (Cohen's d) ranged from .55 to 1.17 (ACT), .40 to .94 (WDI), .26 to 1.13 (ACT + WI), and -.06 to .70 (TAU). There were no differences between groups during follow-up for symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Experiences of Living with Stress-Related Exhaustion Disorder and Participating in a Tailor-Made AntiStress Program in Primary Care

Approximately one million Swedes of working age suffer from stress-related exhaustion disorder (SRED). However, with the current primary care, it is difficult to manage and treat SRED due to the support needs of patients with SRED. To offer more rehabilitation options, a tailor-made 10-week AntiStress program was developed, based on Arvidsdotters thesis, in which complementary medicine was integrated with traditional medicine for persons with SRED. The purpose of the study was to evaluate experiences of participation in traditional versus integrative rehabilitation among persons with SRED during the sick leave process. The study employed a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. In-depth interviews were conducted individually (n = 12) and in two focus groups (n = 8; n = 10). All interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic method for text interpretation inspired by Ricoeur. The overall interpretation of the interview text generated five themes: two themes highlighting the internal and external barriers to healing and three themes describing the importance of participation in the AntiStress program through the provision of integrative therapy to process existential problems, a forum for personal growth, and holistic person-centered rehabilitation, during the sick leave process. The participants described that after years of various antistress activities, they finally received the effective support they sought. Through the AntiStress program, the participants experienced increased self-awareness, self-compassion, self-efficacy and harmony in life. The evaluation shows that the AntiStress program gave the participants valuable and effective tools for managing stress in everyday life. To prevent long-term sick leave, this kind of AntiStress program might serve as a model for developing a standardized treatment option to meet the needs of individuals with different stages of SRED.

Role of rehabilitation in chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder: A narrative review.

An increase in numbers of cases of sick leave due to stress have been reported from several European countries during recent decades. Chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder is associated with physiological and neurobiological perturbations that may contribute to cognitive problems and long-term exhaustion. Rehabilitation of patients with chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder is therefore challenging. This narrative review summarizes the evidence regarding the effectiveness of different interventions for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder. Both structured and unstructured searches of research studies and reports were performed in order to find knowledge sources. The structured search had 2 predefined inclusion criteria: (i) chronic stress-induced exhaustion/clinical burnout/severe burnout/stress-induced exhaustion; and (ii) rehabil-itation with improvement of symptoms and/or return to work as outcomes. Cognitive behavioural interventions and multimodal interventions seem to reduce symptoms. Workplace interventions, either work-focused cognitive behavioural or workplace dialogue, seem to improve return to work. Sleep is important for both symptom improvement and return to work, and interventions for improving sleep might therefore be important. For improvement of cognitive function, which is a main complaint among patients with chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder, aerobic and cognitive training may have some effect. In summary, the few studies of high-quality that examine interventions for rehabilitation of chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder show only marginal effects. Thus, it is important to prevent the onset of chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder.

Influence of antidepressant therapy on sick leave in primary care: ADAS, a comparative observational study

BackgroundCompared to other European countries, Sweden's yearly sick leave expenditures are moderate. Common mental disorders (CMD) are important causes of sick leave, affecting 10–15% of the adult population. A Swedish register based study indicates that antidepressant therapy for patients on long-term sick leave for CMD leads to longer sick leave and higher frequency of non-time-limited sickness compensation as compared to psychotherapy, work oriented rehabilitation, and other therapies. AimTo verify if patients on antidepressant therapy and on long-term sick leave for depression, anxiety and stress-related mental disorders have a longer sick leave than patients treated with other therapies. MethodProspective, observational study at 28 primary health care centers in the Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, including 192 patients on sick leave for CMD. Outcome measures were gross and net sick leave days. InterpretationThere were no significant differences in sick leave days (gross or net) due to CMD when comparing the patients treated and not treated with antidepressants during the 12 month observation period. The groups differed at baseline only concerning frequency of exhaustion disorder, with a higher frequency of exhaustion disorder in the group without antidepressants. Analysis of other possible factors associated with shorter or longer sick leave only showed associations with the patient's own perception of possibility of returning to work in near and distant future. An important factor associated with longer sick leave was the patient's own perception of possibility of return to present workplace. As CMD are important causes of sick leave and sick leave costs, this factor should be highlighted in future research on the rehabilitation process.

Symptoms that may be stress-related and lead to exhaustion disorder: a retrospective medical chart review in Swedish primary care

BackgroundMental illness, and particularly stress-related disorders such as exhaustion disorder, is continuously increasing in today’s society. It is important to identify patients who consult for potentially stress-related symptoms early, before the stress condition develops into an exhaustion disorder. The purpose of the study was to investigate the frequency of different presenting complaints for which patients had consulted in the two years preceding receipt of their exhaustion disorder diagnosis, and to explore potential associations between stress-related presenting complaints and demographic factors, as well as comorbidity and other potentially stress-inducing factors.MethodsThis was a retrospective medical chart review of presenting complaints of adult patients with exhaustion disorder two years preceding receipt of diagnosis at a primary healthcare centre in western Sweden.ResultsExhaustion disorder was diagnosed in 126 patients at the healthcare centre during the study period. Charts were available for 115 patients (76% women, mean age 47 years). Charts were reviewed with regard to presenting complaints, demographic data and comorbidity. Average number of general practitioner visits during the two years preceding the diagnosis was 5.2 (SD 3.7). The two most common complaints were infection and anxiety/depression, presented by 49% and 46%, respectively. Other stress-related complaints seen to in more than 30% of the patients were stress, other pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, and sleep disturbances. Back pain and fatigue were more frequent in patients over 40 years. A majority of the patients also had mental (53%) or somatic (61%) comorbidity. Comorbidity was more frequent in older patients. No significant gender differences were found.ConclusionsPatients with exhaustion disorder appear to consult their general practitioner numerous times with stress-related complaints in the years preceding their diagnosis. The findings indicate which presenting complaints general practitioners may need to be more attentive to so that patients at risk of developing exhaustion disorder can be identified earlier and get the support they need. Addressing stress factors earlier in the course of illness and preventing the development of exhaustion disorder may contribute to a reduced burden for both individual patients and for society, with a reduction in sick leave and societal costs for mental illness.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to substantial suffering, impairment and societal costs. However, access to psychological treatment is limited. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) can be effective in reducing symptoms of stress, but little is known of its effects in clinical samples. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ICBT for patients suffering from chronic stress, operationalized as adjustment disorder (AD) and exhaustion disorder (ED). Methods: A total of 100 adults diagnosed with AD or ED were randomly assigned to a 12-week ICBT (n = 50) or waitlist control condition (n = 50). Primary outcome was the level of perceived stress (PSS). Secondary outcomes included several mental health symptom domains as well as functional impairment and work ability. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, after treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. The study was preregistered at Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02540317. Results: Compared to the control condition, patients in the ICBT group made large and significant improvements on the PSS (d = 1.09) and moderate to large improvements in secondary symptom domains. Effects were maintained at the 6-month follow-up. There was no significant between-group effect on functional impairment or work ability. Conclusions: A relatively short ICBT is indicated to be effective in reducing stress-related symptoms in a clinical sample of patients with AD and ED, and has the potential to substantially increase treatment accessibility. Results must be replicated, and further research is needed to understand the relationship between symptom reduction, functional impairment and work ability.

Suffering without a medical diagnosis. A critical view on the biomedical attitudes towards persons suffering from burnout and the implications for medical care.

The search for causal explanations in medically unexplained syndromes such as burnout has not been resolved by evidence-based medicine. A biomedical model encourages a reductionist diagnostic practice and a dualist split between physical and psychological symptoms. Therefore, diagnosing and treating these syndromes remains a challenge. Depression is a common aspect in burnout and, as a result, clinicians often diagnose burnout patients as depressed. The Norwegian government expects medical efficiency to reduce sick leaves. Medically treating depression has a documented effect. This practice may pose threats to the increasing number of individuals experiencing burnout. The clinical guidelines in evidence-based medicine mirror what counts as knowledge in medical inquiry, which in turn shapes attitudes towards individual patients. The aim of this article is 2-fold: firstly, to assess how the values that accompany the biomedical paradigm affect clinical care, and secondly, to replace the biomedical model with a genuine person-centred approach. In the study described, an existential phenomenological method was applied. Eight individuals, who experienced burnout, were included. They had been on long-term sick leave (>1year) due to symptoms of fatigue and pain and fulfilled the criteria for Exhaustion Disorder (ICD-10, F43.8A). Their symptoms were not medically explained, and almost all the participants were labelled as depressed. Four themes emerged that described how they experienced living with burnout: "unhomelike being in the world," "the limit of diagnosis," "naked in the eyes of the public," and "a path to hopelessness." I identify 2 main problems; firstly, the mismatch between the patient's experience of his or her illness and the doctor's interpretation of the condition can lead to ineffective treatment. Secondly, the interviewees struggled to be recognized as ill. Thus, the inherent values in the biomedical paradigm might have serious implications for the medical care of patients with burnout.