Is burnout a medical diagnosis?

The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon in the ICD-11, not a medical condition. In practice, what presents as burnout often overlaps with depression, anxiety, or an underlying condition like ADHD decompensating under chronic load — which is why a specialist assessment matters.

How is burnout different from depression?

Burnout is typically context-specific (work) and improves with sustained recovery from the load. Depression is a generalised change in mood, energy, sleep and cognition that doesn't reliably lift when circumstances change. They commonly co-occur and the assessment helps separate them.

Can SetMind provide a medical certificate?

Where clinically indicated, yes. Certification is part of safe recovery planning when it's needed, and it's documented to your GP. We don't issue certificates without a full clinical assessment.

Do I need to take time off work?

Not necessarily. Recovery often happens alongside continued work with adjustments, structured boundaries and treatment. When time off is clinically indicated we'll discuss it explicitly as part of the plan.

Will my employer find out?

No. SetMind is bound by medical confidentiality. Information is only shared with your consent — typically with your GP, and only with your employer if you choose to share a certificate or workplace adjustment letter.

Is this covered by Medicare?

Yes. With a valid GP referral and an MBS-eligible item, standard Medicare rebates apply. Fees and rebate detail are on our fees page.

Conditions we treat

Burnout & work stress.

Reviewed by the SetMind Team · Last reviewed June 2026

For high-functioning adults whose work has stopped working — chronic exhaustion, cynicism, declining performance, or a sense of being unable to recover on weekends. SetMind psychiatrists assess what's actually driving it, screen for underlying conditions, and work with you on a structured recovery and return-to-work plan.

How it works See the service

How it shows up in adults

What we listen for.

01
Exhaustion that doesn't recover
Tired Monday morning even after a full weekend off. Sleep no longer feels restorative.
02
Cynicism & detachment
Work you used to care about feels pointless or hostile; emotional distance from colleagues, clients or patients.
03
Reduced performance
Tasks taking twice as long, errors creeping in, calendar avoidance, dread before meetings you used to handle easily.
04
Physical symptoms
Persistent headaches, gut issues, broken sleep, frequent minor illness, blood pressure changes.
05
Functional decline outside work
Exercise stops, social life shrinks, evenings disappear into doomscrolling — the recovery activities are the first to go.
06
Diagnosis is unclear
Could be burnout, depression, anxiety, ADHD presenting under load, or all of the above interacting. The plan depends on getting that right.

The SetMind pathway

A structured pathway, end to end.

Step 01
Referral & intake
Your GP refers. We send screening questionnaires (PHQ-9, GAD-7, MBI-style burnout inventory) and a brief work, sleep and history form.
Step 02
Specialist psychiatric assessment
A 60-minute video consultation covering symptom pattern, work context, recovery capacity, comorbid conditions, and what genuine recovery looks like for you.
Step 03
Formulation & plan
A working formulation: is this burnout in isolation, burnout overlapping with depression or anxiety, or an underlying condition (e.g. ADHD) decompensating under load? Plan addresses the right layer.
Step 04
Recovery & return-to-work support
Treatment plan, certificate where clinically appropriate, structured recovery milestones, and graduated return-to-work planning — all documented to your GP.

What's included

Everything in the plan.

Specialist psychiatric assessment with structured screeners
Diagnostic clarification across burnout, depression, anxiety and ADHD
Review of current treatment where clinically indicated
Recovery and return-to-work plan documented to your GP
Medical certificates where clinically appropriate
Follow-up appointments to support sustained recovery

Eligibility

Who this service is for.

Adults 18 and over living in Australia
You have, or can obtain, a current GP referral
You can attend a video appointment from a private space
You are not in acute crisis or experiencing current thoughts of self-harm

Not suitable for under-18s, acute mental-health crisis, or emergency care. Outcomes vary — assessment may or may not result in a diagnosis or prescription.

Medicare & fees

Medicare-rebated specialist care.

With a valid GP referral and an MBS-eligible item, standard Medicare rebates apply to specialist psychiatric appointments. Out-of-pocket costs, item numbers and rebate amounts are listed in full on our fees page.

See fees & rebates

Frequently asked

Burnout — common questions.

The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon in the ICD-11, not a medical condition. In practice, what presents as burnout often overlaps with depression, anxiety, or an underlying condition like ADHD decompensating under chronic load — which is why a specialist assessment matters.

If you need help right now

SetMind is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself:

Emergency
000
Lifeline
13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636

References

Clinical sources used on this page.

This page is general information, not medical advice. It is not a substitute for an individual clinical assessment. Outcomes vary between people.

Keep exploring.

Available Australia-wide

Burnout care for adults, by secure video.

SetMind psychiatrists see adults nationally. Find your nearest city:

See all locations

Ready to start with a GP referral?

Bring your current GP referral. We handle the rest — screening, specialist assessment, written plan back to your GP.

How it works Fees & rebates

Burnout & work stress.

What we listen for.

Exhaustion that doesn't recover

Cynicism & detachment

Reduced performance

Physical symptoms

Functional decline outside work

Diagnosis is unclear