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“I’m So Tired”: Fatigue as a Persistent Physical Symptom among Working People Experiencing Exhaustion Disorder

Author

Listed:
  • Elín Broddadóttir

    (Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Sigrún Ólafsdóttir Flóvenz

    (Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Haukur Freyr Gylfason

    (Department of Business, Reykjavik University, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Þórey Þormar

    (Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Hjalti Einarsson

    (Stett.is, Icelandic Confederation of University Graduates, 105 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Paul Salkovskis

    (Oxford Centre for Psychological Health, Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Oxford Cognitive Therapy Center, Warneford Hospital, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK)

  • Jón Friðrik Sigurðsson

    (Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
    Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

Abstract

Fatigue is widespread in the population, particularly among working people. Exhaustion disorder (ED), a clinical manifestation of burnout, is common, but, after treatment, about one-third still experience fatigue and other physical symptoms. We propose that in some instances, fatigue as a persistent physical symptom (PPS) might be a more appropriate formulation of ED patients’ fatigue problems, and we suggest that ED patients who meet fatigue PPS criteria will differ from other ED patients in terms of psychological distress, non-fatigue PPSs and functional impairment. Questionnaires were sent to 10,956 members of a trade union of which 2479 (22.6%) responded. Of 1090 participants who met criteria for ED, 106 (9.7%) met criteria for fatigue as a PPS. Participants who met fatigue PPS criteria scored on average higher on measures of depression, anxiety and functional impairment and were more likely to have clinically significant scores. Moreover, they had 27 times higher odds of meeting other PPS subtypes and reported more non-fatigue PPS subtypes, suggesting a more complex health problem. Specific evidence-based interventions are available for both ED and PPSs, and therefore, it is crucial to accurately formulate the fatigue problem reported by patients to provide appropriate treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Elín Broddadóttir & Sigrún Ólafsdóttir Flóvenz & Haukur Freyr Gylfason & Þórey Þormar & Hjalti Einarsson & Paul Salkovskis & Jón Friðrik Sigurðsson, 2021. "“I’m So Tired”: Fatigue as a Persistent Physical Symptom among Working People Experiencing Exhaustion Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8657-:d:615509
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sangeun Lee & Sojeong Seong & Soyeon Park & Jeeyeon Lim & Soyun Hong & Youngshin Cho & Heejung Kim, 2021. "Korean Version of the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory among Construction Workers: Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Annika Lexén & Ida Kåhlin & Lena-Karin Erlandsson & Carita Håkansson, 2020. "Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-13, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sigrún Ólafsdóttir Flóvenz & Paul Salkovskis & Erla Svansdóttir & Hróbjartur Darri Karlsson & Karl Andersen & Jón Friðrik Sigurðsson, 2023. "Non-Cardiac Chest Pain as a Persistent Physical Symptom: Psychological Distress and Workability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-10, January.

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