Burnout is a consequence of prolonged work related stress characterized by:

1. Emotional exhaustion: most widely reported in research literature and the most significant component

2. Cynicism towards the value of one's work with detachment and withdrawal from the job (feeling like a cog in a machine)

3. Negativity towards oneself due to work inefficiency or lack of accomplishment and efficacy

Burnout is not an established DSM-V diagnosis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently added Burnout to it’s International Classification of Diseases. It's symptoms are confined to the work domain. However, it's considered likely that burnout may progress into a clinically significant mental health problem. Symptoms of burnout are job-related and situation-specific, whereas notably depressive symptoms are typically generalized to all other situations and spheres of life. Burnout generally results from stress that comes about through the social relationship between a helper and a help recipient, usually found in asymmetrical professional relationships, whereby the victim is the ‘‘giver’’ and the client the ‘‘receiver’’. Burnout has also been referred to as “compassion fatigue,” and this definition may be more appropriate for care providers.