Table 1 Diagnostic criteria for stress-related exhaustion disorder as proposed by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare 2005

A

Physical and mental symptoms of exhaustion with minimum two weeks duration. The symptoms have developed in response to one or more identifiable stressors which have been present for at least 6 months.

B

Markedly reduced mental energy, which is manifested by reduced initiative, lack of endurance, or increase of time needed for recovery after mental efforts.

C

At least four of the following symptoms have been present most of the day, nearly every day, during the same 2 week period:

1  Persistent complaints of impaired memory.

2  Markedly reduced capacity to tolerate demands or to work under time pressure.

3  Emotional instability or irritability.

4  Insomnia or hypersomnia.

5  Persistent complaints of physical weakness or fatigue.

6  Physical symptoms such as muscular pain, chest pain, palpitations, gastrointestinal problems, vertigo or increased sensitivity to sounds.

D

The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

E

The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g. a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g. hypothyroidism, diabetes, infectious disease).

F

The stress-related disorder does not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.