The burnout syndrome was first described in the 1970's and is characterized by three dimensions (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment). Burnout is a work organization-related health condition. Nevertheless, it is not part of any psychiatric classification. This article presents the concept of burnout, establishes its nosological status and introduces a brief discussion on the difference between burnout and depression, based on the report of a clinical case treated at Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.
Burnout; depression; diagnostic; work organization