Picture this: A phenomenon that’s been lurking in the shadows since the ’70s, silently gnawing at the very core of your existence. We’re talking about burnout, and it’s not just some vague, elusive concept anymore. In a world where labels matter, burnout has clawed its way into the limelight.

In May 2019, it finally earned its stripes, earning a coveted spot in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). But here’s the twist – it’s not officially a ‘medical condition.’ Instead, it’s branded as an ‘occupational phenomenon.’ It’s like the rebellious child of stress and exhaustion, refusing to fit into any neat little box.

The World Health Organization jumped on board, raising the stakes. In 2019, they donned burnout with a dangerous new title: an ‘official occupational hazard’ and a ‘medical condition.’ No longer is this the sole territory of our overworked, frazzled doctors. No, dear reader, it’s a danger that looms over every profession. In the corporate world, the creative realm, or even the high-stakes world of tech – no one is safe.

So, what’s the big deal, you ask? Burnout isn’t just a fancy term for feeling tired; it’s a beast that devours your mental, physical, and emotional reserves. It drains you to the point where your motivation goes AWOL, and all that’s left is a haunting shadow of your former self. The workplace, once your battlefield of ambition, now becomes a breeding ground for cynicism and resentment. Burnout doesn’t discriminate – it takes down the strongest, the brightest, and the most resilient.