Sick leave due to burnout is on the rise – silent burnout often goes undetected.

The number of sick leave certificates issued due to burnout has increased massively in the last five years.

Particularly insidious: An inconspicuous variant of chronic fatigue syndrome develops gradually and is often recognized too late.

Job stress is increasing.

Job stress is increasing – this is clearly reflected in the sick leave rates of German employees. Current figures from the KKH health insurance company confirm a worrying trend.

Last year, 107,3 days of absence due to burnout syndrome were recorded per 1.000 employees insured for the entire year. Compared to 2019, this represents an increase of 33 percent, when the figure was 80,7 days.

The trend is even more pronounced when looking at the number of sick leave cases. This climbed by 46 percent in the same period, from 2,9 to 4,2 sick leave certificates per 1.000 employed persons. The average duration of sick leave due to burnout was 25,7 days in 2024.

Antje Judick, an occupational psychologist at KKH, points out that these statistics only reflect a fraction of reality. The collected data is based exclusively on medical certificates with a corresponding diagnosis.

The figures are probably higher.

However, since burnout is still not recognized as an independent illness and is often listed under other diagnostic codes, the actual number of those affected is likely to be considerably higher.

A Forsa survey commissioned by KKH, involving approximately 1.360 employed individuals, supports this assumption. More than half of the respondents (55 percent) report feeling exhausted or burned out when stressed.

Twenty-seven percent even report feeling down or experiencing depressive moods under pressure. Almost all working people (97 percent) experience high levels of stress in their daily lives or at work at least occasionally. One in two feels that stress has increased in the past one to two years.

The main cause of stress, according to respondents, is high expectations of themselves (49 percent). This stress reaches its peak for many people, especially in the run-up to Christmas, when work-related year-end closings overlap with private obligations and the desire for perfect holidays.

Classic versus silent burnout

While a classic burnout often manifests itself through clearly recognizable physical and behavioral symptoms – such as constant irritability, chronic exhaustion or social withdrawal – the so-called silent variant is much less noticeable.

Silent burnout develops gradually, primarily on a psychological level. Those affected maintain the facade of a high-performing, satisfied person and suppress the fact that something is wrong. They postpone the symptoms for so long that one day they seemingly collapse suddenly, both physically and mentally.

Antje Judick explains the different personality profiles: Classic burnout often affects workaholics with perfectionistic tendencies who push themselves beyond their limits and ignore warning signs. Silent burnout, on the other hand, tends to affect particularly helpful people who neglect their own needs and ultimately feel overwhelmed and exploited.

Both variants are dangerous. An undetected burnout syndrome can lead to serious psychological and physical health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, or cardiovascular diseases.

Recognize and react to warning signals

Recognizing silent burnout is particularly difficult, as those affected continue their usual behavior. The occupational psychologist advises colleagues and family members to pay attention to subtle changes.

This includes increased sensitivity to sensory impressions such as bright light, noise or touch, as well as a forced cheerfulness despite inner exhaustion.

Other signs of both types of burnout include sleep disturbances, irritability, nervousness, and mood swings even with minor deviations from the usual routine. The urge to be constantly available and the inability to say no should also raise concerns.

Anyone who observes such symptoms in others should seek a conversation – but with sensitivity. Those affected tend to downplay or deny the problem.

Antje Judick recommends formulating observations as "I" statements, such as "I've noticed that..." or "I have the impression that...". Accusations and the proverbial raised finger should be avoided.

Seek help early

Those who are affected should take warning signs such as sleep disturbances, exhaustion, concentration problems and frequent mistakes seriously.

The first step, the expert emphasizes, is to be honest with yourself. Early professional support through stress management techniques, burnout workshops, coaches, or therapists can help prevent a severe course of the problem.

KKH offers various stress prevention and management programs for both companies as part of workplace health promotion and for insured persons.

Sierks Media / © Photo: Nikko Macaspac, Unsplash