Well-being | 18.9.2026
Burn-on: recognising the warning signs and preventing chronic stress
Burn-on is the silent precursor to burnout – a phase in which people continue to function despite already feeling overwhelmed. This state of exhaustion, which is often overlooked, can develop into a serious problem if not recognised early enough. What are the warning signs? How do we prevent it? Psychologist Raffaela Witting provides practical advice.
What is burn-on syndrome?
Burn-on describes a state of chronic exhaustion which causes psychological and physical symptoms. “Sufferers appear to function normally and perform at a high level, but inside they feel drained,” explains psychologist Raffaela Witting. For example, she says, it can affect highly motivated people who love their job, are always working overtime and don’t take any time out to relax. Or mothers and fathers who are constantly juggling work and family life while carrying the entire mental load.
“Sufferers appear to function normally and perform at a high level, but inside they feel drained.”
The term ‘burn-on syndrome’ was coined only recently by doctors and psychologists Timo Schiele and Bert te Wildt, so to date there have been no comprehensive studies conducted on it. However, it is important for those affected to finally have a term to describe what they are experiencing.
