Symptoms, work situation and work functioning 10 years after rehabilitation of stress-induced exhaustion disorder

• Background: Stress-induced exhaustion disorder (SED) is the most common reason for long-term sick leave in Sweden and the recovery process may be long and troublesome. This study explores the symptoms of burnout, depression and anxiety among patients with SED 10 years after termination of a multimodal rehabilitation program. Another aim of the study was to investigate work situation, work functioning, and any remaining exhaustion and sleeping disorders among those who were gainfully employed at the 10-year follow-up.Methods: This longitudinal study included 107 patients (91 women and 16 men), who had been diagnosed with SED 10 years prior to the study. After establishing the diagnosis they all underwent and completed an multimodal rehabilitation program. Data on symptoms of burnout, anxiety and depression were collected before and after the multimodal rehabilitation program, and at follow-ups after additional 1 year and an additional 10 years. At the 10-year follow-up, work situation, work functioning, and symptoms of exhaustion and sleep disorders were assessed in those who were gainfully employed (89 patients).Results: Symptoms of burnout, anxiety, and depression remained stable from the 1- to the 10-year follow-up after completed rehabilitation. Among participants who were gainfully employed, 73% had changed workplaces, and 31.5% had reduced their working hours. Common reasons for these changes were lack of energy or because they had chosen to prioritise their lives differently. Work functioning was rated as moderate, one third self-reported SED to some extent, and one fifth reported moderate-to-severe insomnia.Conclusion: A relatively large proportion of former patients with SED have residual health problems 10 years after rehabilitation and some have not been able to return to full-time work. Preventive and early rehabilitative interventions with adjustments and measures at the organisational level are probably needed to achieve a more sustainable working life.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsmedicin och miljömedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Health and Environmental Health (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsterapi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Therapy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Burnout

Follow-up studies

Mental health recovery

Rehabilitation

Return to work

Stress-induced exhaustion disorder

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)