Casino tycoon James Packer's decision to step away from the Crown Resorts board to deal with mental health issues comes as more and more stressed workers suffer burnout, says a leading psychiatrist.
Professor Gordon Parker of the Black Dog Institute says burnout is a phenomenon that has existed since ancient times but appears to becoming more common.
Advances in new technology and the 24/7 nature of mobile devices are likely culprits, Professor Parker said.
"Precarious working conditions created by the 'gig economy' could also be causing greater stress on workers, carers and families," he said.
Not a formal psychiatric disorder, burnout can occur when a person is exposed to a stressful environment for a lengthy period of time.
People who are burnt out tend to describe each day as being "grey" due to emotional exhaustion, Professor Parker says.
"What I tend to hear is people saying they are no longer getting any great pleasure from their work, nothing cheers them up, the days seem grey and they don't see any light," he said.
Those most at risk are professionals such as lawyers and executives working unrelenting hours and mothers caring for children with severe disability.
While the symptoms of burnout can overlap with depression, the two experiences are different, Professor Parker explains. When you remove the stressful environment many experiencing burnout will improve.
"And that makes it different from some of the biological disorders (such as depression) where the environment is irrelevant," he said.
"Also, exhaustion reported by people with burnout, feeling emotionally drained, that's different from what we get in depression where people more describe a lack of energy where they can't get out of bed," he said.
To improve understanding of burnout mental health researchers at the Black Dog Institute have launched a new study, to be led by Professor Parker.
One of their aims will be to determine the boundaries between depression and burnout to provide improved and more personalised treatment.
The study will survey 300 participants aged 18-65 about feelings of burnout, whether in the workplace, while studying, in retirement or as part of caring duties.
People can refer to the Black Dog Institute website to take part in the study.
