Udbrændthed, depression, angst eller bare træt? 4 gratis tests på 8 minutter

Hvorfor disse fire forveksles

These four conditions share four core symptoms: fatigue, low energy, sleep disturbance, concentration problems. But they have completely different mechanisms. Burnout is a specific reaction to chronic work stress (Maslach 1997; ICD-11 code 6B40 since 2019). Depression is a mood disorder with anhedonia (loss of the ability to feel pleasure) lasting ≥ 2 weeks (DSM-5-TR). Anxiety is disproportionate, persistent worry, often with somatic symptoms (muscle tension, gut problems). Fatigue is energy depletion that does not require low mood or worry to be present.

Confusing them costs months. The GP you tell ‘I’m tired’ prescribes a sleep aid. Say ‘burnout’ — they think vacation. Say ‘depression’ — they think SSRI. Say ‘anxiety’ — they think CBT. A test score gives you a concrete number instead of a vague feeling.

De fire tests — hvad hver opdager

OLBI: udbrændthed (arbejdsrelateret udmattelse + distancering)

The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (Demerouti 2003) measures two dimensions: exhaustion (physical, emotional, cognitive tiredness) and disengagement from work (cynicism, distancing). 16 statements, ~2 minutes. Unlike the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI, paid), the OLBI is free and covers unpaid workers too — students, caregivers, freelancers.

Burnout vs depression: burnout is domain-specific (disappears on vacation, returns on Monday). Depression is generalized — low mood at work, at home, in hobbies, Sunday at 11 a.m.

→ Take the OLBI burnout test

PHQ-9: depression (lavt humør ≥ 2 uger)

The PHQ-9 (Kroenke 2001) is a 9-question test mapping onto the 9 DSM-5 criteria for a depressive episode. ~2 minutes. Score 0-27. A cutoff of 10 gives sensitivity 88% and specificity 85% (Levis 2019 meta-analysis, BMJ).

Question 9 concerns suicidal thoughts. Any answer above 0 is a safety signal — independent of total score. Contact your local crisis line the same day.

PHQ-9 vs burnout: if your PHQ-9 score is 12 and OLBI also indicates burnout, you may have both. Maslach 2006 shows that untreated burnout often evolves into depression within 12-24 months.

→ Take the PHQ-9 depression screener

GAD-7: angst (vedvarende bekymring)

The GAD-7 (Spitzer 2006) is a 7-question test about anxiety in the past 2 weeks. ~1 minute. Score 0-21. Cutoff 10 for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), 8 for any anxiety disorder (Plummer 2016 meta-analysis).

Anxiety and depression: ~70% of people with depression also have anxiety symptoms (NIMH). PHQ-9 and GAD-7 correlate at ~0.7 — overlapping but not identical states. If both PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are above threshold, bring both scores to the appointment.

Anxiety vs burnout: anxiety is generalized (you worry about everything: health, work, kids, the world). Burnout is contextual (you worry mainly about work, but only when you think about it).

→ Take the GAD-7 anxiety screener

FSS: træthed (energimangel adskilt fra depression)

The FSS (Krupp 1989) is a 9-statement test about fatigue on a 1-7 Likert scale. The score is the mean, not the sum. Cutoff 4.0 for abnormal fatigue.

FSS differs from the other three tests. It does not ask about mood, anxiety or work. It asks exclusively about physical fatigue. That makes FSS the best filter: a score 5+ FSS with low PHQ-9 and low GAD-7 points to physical causes — hypothyroidism, anaemia, B12 deficiency, ME/CFS, long COVID.

NICE NG206 (2021) recommends routine blood work for anyone with FSS ≥ 4.0 without psychiatric explanation: TSH, full blood count, ferritin, vitamin D, B12, glucose.

→ Take the FSS fatigue severity test

Hvad hvis jeg er positiv på flere?

Overlap is the rule, not the exception. The most common combinations:

• Burnout + depression (Maslach 2006): untreated burnout 12+ months → 5x higher depression risk. Strategy: treat BOTH. Structural work change + therapy/meds for depression.
• Depression + anxiety (Kessler 2005): 60% of patients with major depression meet criteria for an anxiety disorder. SSRIs often treat both; CBT third.
• Anxiety + fatigue (Lily 2019): chronic anxiety depletes cortisol → physical fatigue. Treat the anxiety → fatigue eases.
• Burnout + fatigue + physiological (Toker 2012): elevated inflammatory markers in burnout. Check CRP/IL-6 if fatigue does not resolve after a vacation.

Also check the PSS-10 perceived stress scale if you feel stress is the primary driver.

Hvornår skal du se en læge — og krisetelefoner

DK: 70 201 201 (Livslinien), 112 nødopkald.

Go to a doctor (GP or psychiatrist) the same day if:

• PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 and question 9 > 0
• FSS score ≥ 5 + weight loss/fever/night sweats
• Any thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Go within 2 weeks if:

• PHQ-9 or GAD-7 score ≥ 10
• OLBI score in red band ≥ 8 weeks
• FSS ≥ 4.0 persisting 6+ weeks despite regular sleep

This is not a diagnosis. It is help choosing the right question to ask the doctor.

Relaterede beregnere

• Udbrændthed (OLBI)
• Depression (PHQ-9)
• Angst (GAD-7)
• Træthed (FSS)
• PSS-10