How does the medical assessment of exhaustion work before coaching begins?
The first point of contact is usually the GP practice. According to the German fatigue guideline, it can ask about sleep, mood and stress and carry out a physical examination. Basic blood tests follow, for example a blood count, inflammation values, blood sugar, a liver value and TSH. According to the NHS, it can refer to specialists where needed, for example to a sleep laboratory if sleep apnoea is suspected.
Which questions on “Medical assessment of exhaustion” does exburnout.com answer?
- Why see a doctor before coaching for burnout?Especially in burnout, the medical assessment should take place before coaching. Depression, anxiety disorders, unwanted side effects of medicines, inflammatory processes and physical illnesses (endocrine conditions can be linked with burnout symptoms) can cause complaints similar to burnout.
- Which doctor should I see for burnout?The first point of contact for exhaustion is usually the GP practice. It can carry out the basic assessment and refer to specialists when needed.
- What should I tell my doctor about exhaustion?It can help the doctor to know, for example, how long the exhaustion has lasted, how sleep and mood are, which stresses and other complaints exist and which medicines or other substances are taken.
- Which blood tests are done for exhaustion?The German fatigue guideline recommends a blood count, inflammation values, blood sugar, a liver value and TSH as basic tests. Kidney and iron values are added only in specific situations.
- What does a doctor do about exhaustion?For exhaustion, the GP can take a history and screen for depression and anxiety. The GP can also carry out a physical examination and order basic blood tests.
- When can exhaustion become an emergency?Exhaustion can be joined by warning signs that may mean an emergency, for example sudden chest pain that does not go away. Then the emergency number applies. For thoughts of taking one’s own life, crisis lines help around the clock, and in acute danger the emergency number as well.
The content on exburnout.com is for information and orientation. It is no substitute for a medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. In an emergency: 112 (EU), 999 (UK).