[Fatigue syndromes--an overview of terminology, definitions and classificatory concepts]

This article aims at giving a general view of fatigue syndromes, their description, and their differentiation. The syndromes neurasthenia, chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), and burnout are discussed. First, the historical background of fatigue classification is shortly reviewed. Each syndrome is introduced in terms of definition and classification as well as differentiation from each other. The article discusses the differentiation of the syndromes from each other as well as differentiation of CFS/ME and burnout from depression. We conclude that it is difficult to differentiate criteria due to insufficient empirical evidence. More research is needed concerning integration of the diagnoses in classification systems as well as differentiation between syndromes. High comorbidity of depression with CFS and Burnout can be shown, but diagnoses also comprise distinct symptoms.