Across hospitals, offices and homes, a silent epidemic is unfolding. More than seven in ten professionals now report symptoms of burnout, and this rate has climbed steadily over the past decades. The reach of this crisis spans all demographics. Research from academic institutions shows that over half of university students report overwhelming anxiety.
Young professionals face unprecedented levels of work-related stress, while human service workers, such as healthcare professionals and teachers, show burnout rates exceeding 50% in various studies.
Burnout is clinically distinct from both ordinary fatigue and mental disorders. The WHO formally recognises it in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It manifests through three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativity towards it; and reduced professional efficacy.
Studies published in medical journals demonstrate that chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, disrupting sleep architecture and suppressing immune function. Research links prolonged burnout to a 79% increased risk of coronary heart disease, elevated blood pressure and a higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes. Chronic stress impairs the function of the prefrontal cortex, affecting decision-making, memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
Data indicate that individuals born after 1980 report higher baseline stress levels than previous generations did at comparable ages. Many young adults enter their mid-20s already exhibiting symptoms historically associated with mid-career burnout. This may reshape long-term population health outcomes.
Addressing this requires evidence-based interventions at multiple levels. Organisational changes such as workload restructuring, flexible schedules and greater autonomy demonstrate a stronger impact than individual-focused stress management programmes alone. Businesses that adopt these strategies also report increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.
Getting enough sleep — seven to nine hours for adults — is physiologically necessary for emotional regulation and mental clarity. Importantly, resilience against burnout also increases by maintaining social connections and seeking help when necessary.
Burnout represents a systemic mismatch between human capacity and environmental demands. The question is not whether we can build a healthier future, but whether we will choose to do so before burnout becomes our defining legacy.
Dr Samiya Iqbal
AKUH, Karachi
