Dutch psychiatrists and occupational health experts are advocating for a review of the Netherlands’ approach to diagnosing and treating burn-out, following Sweden’s decision to discontinue using the term.

The call for review comes after updated guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) prompted Sweden to drop the burn-out diagnosis. The Netherlands and Sweden were the last two countries to recognize burn-out as a formal diagnosis.

Critics argue that while symptoms like exhaustion, concentration problems, and sleep issues are genuine, the burn-out label lacks scientific accuracy and may hinder access to more specific treatment.

Psychiatrist Christiaan Vinkers suggests that many patients currently diagnosed with burn-out might benefit more from diagnoses like depression or anxiety. He argues that burn-out is vaguely defined and creates a treatment area separate from psychiatry.

The Dutch national statistics agency CBS stopped using the term in 2023, and the WHO now defines burn-out as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical condition.

Occupational health and family doctors, however, contend that the current approach is effective. They use structured criteria to assess symptoms and recommend tailored interventions like sleep routines, exercise, or therapy. Family doctor Richard Starmans believes the diagnosis is meaningful to patients and provides direction for care.

While Starmans acknowledges that treatments are often based on experience rather than concrete evidence, he emphasizes that most patients recover within six months.

Vinkers is currently leading a study focused on the early detection of stress symptoms, aiming to improve coordination of care among GPs, psychiatrists, occupational doctors, and psychologists. He states that the goal is to understand the underlying nature of this type of stress and improve treatment strategies.

A 2023 report by Dutch research institute TNO revealed that one in four employees aged 18 to 34 reported burn-out complaints. The report, commissioned by the ministry of social affairs and employment, indicated that burn-out cases are becoming more frequent and severe, especially among young women.