Mental Health and Burnout: A Guide for Working Malaysians

These three conditions exist on a spectrum and can coexist, but they are distinct. Normal stress: temporary, related to identifiable stressors, improves with rest and when the stressor resolves. Physical symptoms (headache, muscle tension) are present but mild. You can still experience moments of enjoyment. Occupational burnout (as defined by the World Health Organization): work-specific chronic stress that has not been managed. Three key dimensions: 1. Emotional exhaustion: feeling drained, depleted, nothing left to give 2. Depersonalisation/cynicism: mental distance from your work, reduced care about outcomes, feeling detached 3. Reduced professional efficacy: feeling incompetent, questioning whether your work matters Burnout is work-specific — you may still enjoy life outside work initially. Over time it can progress to clinical depression. Depression (major depressive disorder): pervasive low mood or loss of interest in nearly all activities, most of the day, most days, for at least two weeks. Additional features: sleep disturbance, appetite changes, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and in severe cases, thoughts of death or self-harm. Depression affects all areas of life, not just work. Anxiety disorder: persistent, excessive worry that is difficult to control, affecting daily function. Physical symptoms: racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, stomach upset. If you are unsure which category your symptoms fit, a doctor can help clarify.

GPs are often the first point of contact for mental health problems — and can provide much more than just a referral. Here is what your GP can do. Screening and diagnosis: validated tools like the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression) and GAD-7 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7) are administered in the clinic to assess symptom severity objectively. Rule out medical causes: thyroid disorders, anaemia, diabetes, and hormonal conditions can mimic or worsen depression and anxiety. Blood tests at the same visit clarify the picture. Counselling and psychoeducation: GPs trained in mental health can provide basic supportive counselling, explain the nature of your condition, and discuss evidence-based lifestyle interventions (exercise is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression — a fact that should be shared with every patient). Medication: antidepressants (SSRIs such as sertraline, escitalopram) and anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed by GPs for mild to moderate conditions. They are non-addictive and take 4 to 6 weeks to reach full effect. Short-term benzodiazepines may be used for severe acute anxiety under careful monitoring. Referral: moderate to severe depression, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders require specialist psychiatric care. Your GP will facilitate urgent referrals when needed. At Klinik Muhibbah, mental health consultations are available and treated with confidentiality and non-judgment. Book at movo-x.com/kiosk/muhibbah.