Burnout and chronic stress
Stress is a natural reaction of the body to a threatening or demanding situation. Heart rate and breathing accelerate, stress hormones are released, and muscles tense up. This is how our brain and body prepare to respond.
When stress persists for a long time and there is insufficient opportunity for recovery, both physical and mental health issues can arise. If this overload stems from chronic work-related stress, it can lead to aburnout.
Burnout is characterized by persistent exhaustion, an increasing mental distance from work, and a reduced sense of professional competence. Concentration problems, sleep disorders, and decreased stress resilience can also occur.
What is it?
What is burnout?
Burnout is more than just ordinary fatigue. It is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that can occur when work-related stress persists for a long time and cannot be adequately managed.
The World Health Organization describes burnout as a work-related phenomenon with three central characteristics:
- persistent exhaustion and a lack of energy;
- an increasing mental distance from work, often accompanied by negativity or cynicism;
- a feeling of reduced professional competence or effectiveness.
According to this international classification, burnout is not a separate medical condition. However, that does not mean the symptoms are any less real or less impactful. People can be out of work for long periods and develop serious cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms.
When chronic stress becomes exhaustion
Stress is initially a normal and useful reaction. In a threatening or uncertain situation, the body and brain release energy to respond quickly. Heart rate and breathing accelerate, muscles tense up, and focus sharpens.
After the stressful situation, this system should return to a state of rest. However, when the pressure continues and recovery does not occur, the brain must constantly adapt. It continues to monitor the environment, predict potential problems, and expend energy to cope with the situation.
Over time, this sustained effort can lead to overload. Sleep does not always provide sufficient recovery. Concentrating requires more and more effort, stimuli feel more intense, and even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. Many people no longer recognize themselves: they still want to function, but they feel that their body and mind are no longer keeping up.
What might be happening in the brain?
Recent research in which BRAI3N participated points to a possible role of thepregenual anterior cingulate cortex, abbreviated as pgACC. This brain region is involved in, among other things, processing stress, regulating emotions, and suppressing information that is not important at that moment.
In a study of 589 participants, severe fatigue was associated with changes in alpha activity and the communication of the pgACC with other brain regions. Those regions play a role in attention, cognitive control, memory, and the processing of sensory information.
One possible working model is that, under persistent stress, the brain is unable to stop searching for relevant information. The brain remains in a state of heightened alertness, so to speak. This constantly demands energy and can contribute to overstimulation, concentration problems, and mental exhaustion.
These findings show a correlation, but do not yet prove that the measured brain changes are the cause of burnout. Moreover, the research included various patient groups. The results therefore likely describe a broader mechanism of stress-related fatigue rather than burnout exclusively. Consequently, a qEEG cannot currently diagnose burnout on its own.
What symptoms can occur with burnout?
Symptoms vary from person to person. Often, a combination of the following occurs:
- persistent mental and physical fatigue;
- memory and concentration problems;
- sleep problems or insufficient recovery after sleep;
- becoming irritable or emotional more easily;
- difficulty with crowds, noise, and other stimuli;
- tense muscles, headaches, or other physical complaints;
- detachment or cynicism toward work;
- a reduced sense of control and professional competence;
- anxious or depressive symptoms.
Burnout can overlap with depression, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, or physical conditions. Therefore, a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment is important.
How many people are affected by burnout?
There is no complete Belgian government registry of everyone with burnout. The figures from the RIZIV relate exclusively to people who have been unable to work for more than one year due to burnout.
As of December 31, 2025, there were55,802 people unable to work for more than one year due to burnout. That was nearly 59% more than in 2021. These figures include employees, job seekers, and the self-employed, but not statutory civil servants.
In 2024, the RIZIV paid outmore than 908 million euros in disability benefits for burnout. That amount increased by more than 20% compared to 2023 and has more than doubled since 2019.
This is not the full societal cost. Expenses for short-term absence, medical care, guaranteed wages, employee replacement, and loss of productivity are not included here.
The true impact on patients, employers, and society is therefore significantly higher.
How to treat
How to treat it?
With burnout, it is not just your energy that becomes depleted. Your concentration, memory, and ability to cope with stress can also come under pressure. Even when you get enough rest, these symptoms may persist.
Long-term stress can be associated with changes in the functioning of brain networks involved in attention, emotional processing, and stress regulation. This helps explain why recovery from burnout sometimes requires more than just rest.
At BRAI3N, we look at how we can support the recovery of these brain processes. Depending on the individual situation, neuromodulation can play a complementary role.
Our four-phase treatment plan
1. Assessment
We begin with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and previous treatments. In doing so, we focus on mental exhaustion, concentration problems, sleep, stress sensitivity, and your daily functioning.
Where appropriate, aqEEG measurement and analysiscan provide additional information about the electrical activity and interaction between different brain regions.
Scientific research shows that changes in brain activity can occur in people with burnout. The interpretation of the qEEG is always performed in conjunction with the clinical assessment.
2. Targeted treatment
Based on the examination results, we determine which treatment or combination of treatments is most appropriate.
With neuromodulation, we aim to influence brain networks involved in attention, cognitive control, and stress regulation.
One of the options is neurofeedback. During this training, you receive information about your own brain activity. Through this feedback, the brain can learn to better regulate certain activation patterns.
Techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can also influence the activity of the involved brain networks. Especially for persistent attention and concentration problems, the potential contribution of these techniques is being investigated.
Initial research results are promising for certain cognitive symptoms, but neuromodulation is not yet a proven standard treatment for burnout.
Psychological counseling remains an important part of recovery. It helps to recognize stress factors, better maintain boundaries, and make sustainable changes.
The circumstances that led to prolonged overload also deserve attention.
3. Stabilization
Recovery does not happen at the same pace for everyone. Throughout the process, we monitor how your symptoms and daily functioning evolve.
We look at factors such as concentration, mental resilience, stress sensitivity, and your ability to resume activities.
Where necessary, the treatment is adjusted in consultation with the healthcare providers involved.
4. Maintenance
Sustainable recovery means not only that symptoms decrease, but also that you find a new balance between exertion and recovery.
That is why we focus on recognizing early stress signals, strengthening your resilience, and preventing new instances of overload.
Psychological counseling, ongoing follow-up, and adjustments to your work or living environment can be important in this process.
Not everyone requires the same treatment or long-term follow-up. We tailor the process to your personal situation.
What does scientific research tell us?
Research into neuromodulation for burnout focuses on areas such as improving attention, working memory, and cognitive control.
In a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study from 2020, Van Noppen and colleagues investigated the effect of tDCS on people with burnout.
Sixteen patients were assigned to either an active stimulation group or a placebo stimulation group. Fifteen patients were ultimately included in the analysis. Both groups also received behavioral therapy support.
The results indicated a favorable effect of tDCS on certain attentional functions. Scores for burnout and depressive symptoms improved in both groups.
These findings support further research into neuromodulation for persistent cognitive symptoms following burnout. Larger studies are needed to more accurately determine its efficacy and its role within treatment.
Can neuromodulation help with my symptoms?
That depends on the nature of your symptoms, any co-occurring conditions, and the results of the clinical assessment.
During an initial consultation, we will determine whether additional testing and neuromodulation might be beneficial for you and how these options fit into your existing care plan.
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation or to schedule an appointment
Wetenschappelijke achtergrond
De neurowetenschappelijke benadering van BRAI3N steunt mede op onderzoek naar chronische stress, vermoeidheid, aandachtsproblemen en de werking van betrokken hersennetwerken.
Onze onderstaande publicaties bieden inzicht in de neurobiologische processen die een rol kunnen spelen bij langdurige stress en burn-out, en in de mogelijkheden van neuromodulatie.
The Brain Signs of Wear and Tear: Chronic Stress Associated Alpha Oscillations in the Pregenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex Lead to Fatigue
Vanneste S, Ost J, De Ridder D. The brain signs of wear and tear: Chronic stress associated alpha oscillations in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex lead to fatigue. Neuroscience. 2026;594:134–141.
Lees de publicatie in Neuroscience
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Attention Skills in Burnout Patients: A Randomized Blinded Sham-Controlled Pilot Study
Van Noppen P, van Dun K, Depestele S, Verstraelen S, Meesen R, Manto M. Transcranial direct current stimulation and attention skills in burnout patients: a randomized blinded sham-controlled pilot study. F1000Research. 2020;9:116.
Lees de publicatie in F1000Research
Neural Correlates of Burnout Syndrome Based on Electroencephalography (EEG)—A Mechanistic Review and Discussion of Burnout Syndrome Cognitive Bias Theory
Chmiel J, Malinowska A. Neural correlates of burnout syndrome based on electroencephalography (EEG)—A mechanistic review and discussion of burnout syndrome cognitive bias theory. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(15):5357.
Lees de publicatie in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Authored byProf. Dr. Sven Vanneste,Prof. Dr. Dirk De RidderandJan Ost- 10/13/2026
Other conditions that we treat
Auditory and vestibular disorders
These disorders are related to hearing and balance and can have a major impact on your daily life.
.png)
Neurological and cognitive disorders
These disorders affect brain function, which can lead to problems with attention, memory, and motor skills.
Mental and emotional disorders
Mental illness can be deeply rooted in neurobiological dysfunctions.
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Syndromes
Chronic pain and fatigue are often difficult to treat with conventional methods, especially when there is no obvious physical cause.
Fatigue syndromes and sleep disorders
Sleep and energy management are essential for brain function. Problems in these areas can lead to severe tiredness and difficulty concentrating.
Headache and facial pain disorders
Headaches and facial pain can result from complex neurological processes.
Ready to take the first step?
Our specialists are here to help you. Find out what treatments are possible or schedule a consultation.