Are you really suffering from burnout -- or do you need to see a doctor?

Burnout has become a popular label, but it’s broad enough that people may confuse it with other treatable conditions. The World Health Organization describes burnout as a syndrome stemming from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed, and Northwell’s Dr. Theodore Strange says it isn’t a medical diagnosis by itself. Because it can cause mental and physical symptoms, Strange argues for a full evaluation of sleep, appetite, mood, focus, and whether tests such as blood work are needed. Fatigue—often linked to burnout—can also come from iron or vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, hormone disorders, depression, anxiety, or job stress.