Medical definition of burnout 1 a : exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration b : a person affected with burnout. Is burnout an illness? a stressful lifestyle can put people under extreme pressure, to the point that they feel exhausted, empty, burned out, and unable to cope.stress at work can also cause physical and mental symptoms.. Occupational burnout is thought to result from long-term, unresolvable, job stress. in 1974, herbert freudenberger became the first researcher to publish in a psychology -related journal a paper that used the term burnout ..
Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic job stress and is characterized by three main dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism (less identification with the job), and feelings of reduced professional ability.. Burnout: "stress without let-up leads to a burnout, wherein there already is a sense of negativity building up while performance in many areas of your life are breaking down." related psychology terms. Definition of burnout - the reduction of a fuel or substance to nothing through use or combustion., the failure of an electrical device or component throu.