How do I recognize burnout?

Key symptoms of burnout include chronic fatigue, feelings of cynicism and detachment from work, and reduced professional self-esteem. Physical symptoms can include sleep problems, headaches, and muscle tension.

Can I get Kela-reimbursed therapy for burnout?

Burnout itself is not a mental disorder diagnosis that qualifies for Kela rehabilitation psychotherapy. If, for example, depression or an anxiety disorder is diagnosed alongside burnout, Kela support is possible if the disorder threatens your ability to work or study, has been treated for at least 3 months, and a psychiatrist has written a B-statement. Depending on the contract, occupational health care may offer short-term therapy without a Kela application.

Burnout and therapy: how to recover from burnout?

Q: Does therapy help with burnout?

Therapy can help with recovering from burnout. In cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for example, you identify thought patterns that maintain stress and develop coping strategies. Depending on the contract, occupational health care may offer short support periods.

Updated 14 October 2026 · Editorial principles and sources

Burnout is a serious condition that affects both physical and mental wellbeing. Timely recognition and treatment are key to recovery.

Burnout symptoms

Chronic fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
Cynicism and detachment from work
Decreased professional self-esteem
Sleep difficulties and headaches
Concentration and memory difficulties

Treatment options

Occupational health services

Occupational health can provide short-term therapy, work psychologist services, and sick leave. Contact occupational health as soon as you notice symptoms.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the therapies used for burnout. It helps identify thought patterns that maintain stress and develop coping strategies.

Stages of recovery

Recognizing and accepting the situation
Rest and reducing workload
Seeking professional help (therapy, occupational health)
Re-evaluating workload and boundaries
Maintaining recovery and prevention

Burnout is not a diagnosis

Medical disease classifications have no diagnosis for burnout. It can be recorded as a factor related to a health problem alongside a diagnosis. Getting care does not require a diagnosis, but sick leave and long Kela-supported therapy require an illness diagnosed alongside the burnout, most often depression or an anxiety disorder. A professional makes the assessment. If you have not coped with daily life for weeks, contact your health centre or occupational health. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, get help immediately: call 112 or the MIELI Crisis Helpline 09 2525 0111.

Prevention at work and in daily life

According to the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, burnout results from an imbalance between job demands and resources, so it is prevented first of all by changing the work: tasks sized to working hours, priorities set together, a shared rule on availability outside working hours, and a lighter period after long peaks of load.

In daily life, personal measures do not replace fixing the work but slow the build-up of strain: a regular bedtime, removing work email from your phone in the evening, short breaks and daily exercise. Logging working hours, interruptions and overtime evenings for two weeks helps you discuss changes with occupational health.

Returning to work

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health stresses that measures must continue until wellbeing has recovered and lasts. Sick leave alone is not enough if the job is unchanged on the day you return. Return in stages: a part-time start, a limited task list and an agreed follow-up date a few weeks later. Also agree on the signs that trigger a re-check, such as sleep, recovery on days off and ability to concentrate.

Source: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Stress and burnout (in Finnish)