Burnout is a common problem of psychic well-being associated with work also in Finland. Mild burnout of a strongly work-oriented person may cause temporary symptoms, from which recovery may take place rapidly. Severe burnout is mostly a condition of long duration, and the symptoms can vary in their degree of severity. In clinical practice it is important for a doctor to recognize burnout and be able to distinguish it from other causes yielding similar symptoms. Treatment of burnout involves measures to prevent and treat symptoms, in combination with rehabilitating procedures.