How Burnout Is Measured and Diagnosed: clinicians may use structured tools such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory alongside a broader discussion of workload, recovery, mood, sleep and functioning. ICD 11 describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical diagnosis. This guide was written by Sanah Younis, a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with over 11 years of clinical experience in specialist clinical settings and private practice. BABCP accreditation signals adherence to professional training and supervision standards; it does not guarantee a particular therapy outcome. What a questionnaire can and cannot do Questionnaires may give a person language for experiences such as exhaustion, detachment or reduced sense of effectiveness. They can be useful in research, workplace wellbeing programmes and clinical conversations, but a score cannot establish why someone feels unwell, whether work is the only contributing factor or what support will help. Cut offs, versions and interpretation can differ across tools and settings. Assessment beyond a score Work related exhaustion can overlap with anxiety, low mood, sleep disruption, caring pressure, financial stress, physical illness, medication effects or a difficult work environment. An assessment may consider onset, workload, recovery time, relationships, physical symptoms, mood, safety and what has already been tried. It should not assume that every symptom is burnout or that a change of job is the universal answer. Practical and workplace context Some people need an occupational health conversation, a discussion with a manager, union or HR support, medical review, financial advice or changes to workload alongside psychological support. A therapist can explore the emotional and behavioural impact of work, but cannot provide legal advice, decide whether an employer has met its obligations or certify fitness for work. Medical and urgent safety boundaries Fatigue, sleep changes, pain, weight change, concentration problems or changes in movement can have physical health causes. New, severe or concerning symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate medical professional rather than automatically attributed to stress or burnout. If you cannot keep yourself safe, have thoughts of harming yourself, experience psychosis or a sudden marked deterioration in mental state, seek urgent help. In immediate danger, call 999 or attend A&E. Frequently asked questions Can I diagnose burnout from an MBI, CBI or OLBI score? No. These tools can inform a wider conversation but cannot diagnose burnout, explain symptoms or determine treatment. Can therapy provide a fit note or workplace report? No. Those requests require the appropriate medical, occupational health or employment route. Related information is available at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/depression vs burnout/, https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/burnout prevention west london/, https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/therapy/depression/ and https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/therapy/anxiety/. The Lyceum offers CBT based support face to face in Chiswick, Ealing and the Richmond venue, and online. We do not offer occupational assessments, fitness for work reports or a formal burnout diagnosis. Session fees are £110 online and £140 face to face. Contact the clinic to discuss whether CBT is a suitable next step and check current availability. For further reading, visit the Clinical Guides library at lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides, or book a free consultation at lyceumclinic.co.uk/start.