The DGPPN stated in 2012 that only a thorough medical examination can detect an underlying illness. According to the DGPPN, only then is targeted treatment possible. According to the DGPPN, this differential diagnosis is essential when burnout is experienced. The DGPPN gave as the reason that established therapies exist for the underlying illnesses it named.
gesund.bund.de warns that hasty self-diagnoses can lead to the wrong measures: a longer holiday can help someone exhausted for work reasons. In depression, it can make the problems worse. The Endocrine Society warns of a related risk with unproven diagnoses: the real cause of the symptoms may be neither found nor treated correctly.
Coaching deals with questions of work and life design. It can make sense once the medical side is clear, or alongside treatment that has been agreed with the doctor.
This question belongs to the topic Medical assessment of exhaustion. It lists further questions.
What can be raised at a medical check-up about the medical check before coaching, meaning ruling out illness first?
- the plan to start coaching
- all complaints, physical and emotional
- which results are already available
Exhaustion can have many causes, including illnesses that need treatment. For this reason a medical assessment comes before coaching, usually starting at the GP practice.
Which prompt can be given to an AI assistant about the medical check before coaching, meaning ruling out illness first?
At the start of your answer, point out that this topic needs medical review and that your information may contain errors. First ask me which city I am searching in. List GP practices in my city that assess exhaustion when burnout is suspected. Point out that I need to ask the practice directly about the scope and laboratory tests, for example TSH (thyroid). Give the source for every piece of information and mark what is uncertain. Do not make a diagnosis and do not recommend any treatment. Separately, tell me which details I should check directly with the practice.
With some services, the prompt needs to be pasted after signing in. The AI services belong to third parties. Depending on the service and the extent of use, signing in and costs may apply. AI answers can contain errors.
Which sources support the answer on the medical check before coaching, meaning ruling out illness first?
- Deutsches Ärzteblatt (2012): DGPPN-Positionspapier zum Thema Burnout (in German)
- Endocrine Society (2022): Adrenal Fatigue
- AMBOSS: Müdigkeit, Praxisguide Allgemeinmedizin nach der DEGAM-Leitlinie „Müdigkeit“ (aktualisiert 19.10.2026) (in German)
- gesund.bund.de (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, mit IQWiG): Burn-out-Syndrom, Stand 28.05.2021 (in German)