Is it possible, that burnout is much more than a state of collapse? As vitalistic practitioners know, any “dis-ease” is indicative of the misalignment of one’s vitality – aka the vital force. This is known as the Vis Medicatrix Naturae in naturopathic medicine. We treat the person, not the label. So, it is not a coincidence that the definition of Burnout includes the word ‘vital.’ Burnout ICD Z73.0: “A state of vital exhaustion.” (1) There it is, right there in black and white – “vital” is connected to Burnout.

Symptom vs Condition:

This merits further exploration as to root cause. After all, we are proponents of the vital force, and as Dr. Benedict Lust has stated, “Naturopathy, with all its various methods of treatments, has always one end in view and one only: to increase the vital force.” (2)
• Vital: Of utmost importance, Characteristic of life, Source of life (3,4)
• Vitality: Energy, Spirit, Passion, Dynamism, Verve (5)
• Vital Force: Innate wisdom, Divine intelligence (2)
• Vis Medicatrix Naturae: Healing Power of Nature, also known as God, Spirit, Universe, Creator, Allah, One, Buddha, Krishna, Great Mystery, Source, Love, etc. (2)

Given this connection between vital and burnout, we need to ask ourselves could burnout actually be a symptom versus a condition? Viewing Burnout as a symptom of the Vis awakening (rather than a condition), creates a paradigm shift. Burnout becomes an incredibly purposeful and empowering experience intended to evolve our consciousness, as opposed to being a condition associated with disempowering terminology, such as nervous breakdown or collapse. The latter terms may well even contribute to feelings of shame, guilt and victimization. Instead, we have the opportunity to embrace our spiritual expansion so that we may serve humanity for whatever is to come.

Choose the more empowering view:

Break Open:                                                                       Break Down:
“Come open suddenly and violently                 “Reduce, collapse, destroy, demolish.” (6)
as if from internal pressure.” (6)

Further expansion of the words within the definition of Burnout: (a state of vital exhaustion):
       State                                        Vital                            Exhaustion 

Existence/Being                           Spirit/Vis                       Depleted/Weary

Thus, consider instead a naturopathic definition of Burnout as: Spiritual Existence Depletion. There are many ways to interpret or arrange these words, but ultimately, the essence remains the same. The cause of Burnout is rooted in the Spiritual realm – in what makes us Vital. It is a misalignment of our vitality – the Vis within us. As a reminder of the connection between spirituality and naturopathy. Dr. Benedict Lust said: “Naturopathy comes from the heart of nature through the heart of (hu)man to the heart of God.” (2)

A Different Approach to Burnout:

How would our approach to Burnout change if we looked at it as a symptom of conscious evolution instead of a “syndrome of psychological distress or workplace dysfunction?” Consider Wayne Dyer’s famous quote: “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.”

From the comparison chart below, choose the more empowering view:

Approach	Conventional (General)	Naturopathic (Vitalism)
Where to Start?	Acknowledge & Get Help	Acknowledge & Get Help
Root Cause	External Factors &/or  Personal Disposition	Vis is Awakening within you Your Spiritual self is evolving External factors &/or personal disposition serve as guides and mirrors, to show you where you are misaligned.
Perspective	Happens TO YOU  You are separate from Oneness You are breaking down You are shrinking	Happens FOR YOU You are part of Oneness You are breaking open  You are expanding
Treatment Approach	Treat the Symptoms Change/shift external factors from a place of blame or victimization; learn to manage internal responses	Treat the Root Cause Consciousness Evolution: Shed unhealthy ego identities and patterns; strengthen and cleanse your energetic spiritual field Change/shift external factors from a place of self-responsibility and empowerment Giving agency to the Vis within allows you to shift internal responses.
Intention/Goal	Get back to how you were Manage stress	Become wiser and more whole Allow a shift in consciousness
Cultural and Personal View	Shame, fear, inadequacy, grief, failure. Stigma; don’t talk about it, hide, shut down	Renewal, Re-Alignment, Growth, Evolution Share your wisdom and experience with others, expand

Conscious Evolution:

What better way for the Vis to wake us up as a collective than to shatter our sense of identity and make us question, re-evaluate and re-align ourselves with our essence? By choosing to approach Burnout as a process of spiritual evolvement rather than a collapse, we embrace our conscious evolution.
The Vis is speaking – are YOU listening?

 

References:
1. World Health Organization. ICD-10 Version: 2016. Burn-out. Available at: http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2016/en#/Z73.0. Accessed July 25, 2018.
2. Kirchfeld F, Boyle W. Nature Doctors: Pioneers in Naturopathic Medicine. East Palestine, OH: Buckeye Naturopathic Press; 1994.
3. Merriam-Webster. Vital. Available at: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vital. Accessed July 25, 2018.
4. com. Vital. Available at: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/vital?s=t. Accessed July 26, 2018.
5. org. Vitality. Available at: https://studysite.org/dictionary/English-meaning-of-vitality. Accessed July 26, 2018.
6. Power Thesaurus. Break open. Available at: https://powerthesaurus.org/break_open/definitioins. Accessed July 26, 2018.
7. University of California, San Francisco. MacArthur Research Network on SES & Health, Vital Exhaustion – A Syndrome of Psychological Distress. Last revised September, 1997. Available at: https://macses.ucsf.edy/research/allostatic/vital.php. Access July 26, 2018.

Editorial Notes:

Publication Note: This article was originally published in NDNR: 2018. It has been lightly revised for republication here. (NDNR2018 | October, Cardiopulmonary Medicine, Naturopathic Perspective: https://ndnr.com/vital-burnout-a-call-to-give-agency-to-the-vis/)

The following reference update reflects changes made by the WHO after the original publication of this article.

Reference Update: Since the original publication of this article in October 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revised its classification and definition of burnout.

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the WHO’s international standard for recording, classifying, and reporting health conditions. It provides a common system for health professionals, researchers, billing and insurers, health systems, to document and compare health information, and is used for purposes including clinical documentation, health statistics, research, public health, and reimbursement. [a]

In May 2019, the World Health Assembly adopted the WHO’s 11th revision, ICD-11, which came into effect on January 1, 2022. In ICD-11, the previous ICD-10 description of burnout (Z73.0), “A state of vital exhaustion,” was replaced by a new definition (QD85): “A syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” [a]

The WHO clarified that burnout is not classified as a medical condition or illness, but specifically as an occupational phenomenon. It is included in a chapter addressing factors that influence health status or contact with health services, rather than among diseases or medical conditions. The WHO also specifies that burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to experiences in other areas of life. [b]

[a] World Health Organization, International Classification of Diseases (ICD). WHO: International Classification of Diseases

[b] World Health Organization, “Burn-out an ‘occupational phenomenon’: International Classification of Diseases,” 28 May 2019. WHO: Burn-out an ‘occupational phenomenon’