What is known about long-term effects of burnout, and what should I understand if I’ve experienced it multiple times and notice impacts on my memory?

Thank you for your question! 
It’s really great that you’re feeling better now – it sounds like you have taken good care of yourself. 

The diagnosis utmattningssyndrom (exhaustion syndrome) exists only in Sweden, but the symptom profile is found all over the world. In other countries, people with corresponding symptoms – that is, pronounced fatigue and lack of energy, sleep difficulties, memory problems, impaired concentration, heart palpitations, irritability, anxiety, and more – may receive diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, or chronic fatigue syndrome. 

People diagnosed with exhaustion syndrome often have a combination of psychiatric and somatic symptoms, and this makes it difficult in brain studies to determine whether the observed changes are unique to exhaustion syndrome or whether subgroups within the studied population might better explain how and why the brain is affected. 

So, with the reservation that the research situation is considered to be weak, there are research studies on cognitive impairments in patients with exhaustion syndrome. Their results show measurable changes in the brain that affect, among other things, working memory and attention. The sensitivity of the so‑called HPA axis may also be altered, which affects the regulation of the stress hormone cortisol. 

Researchers believe that for many, these changes mean increased sensitivity to stress and a vulnerability to developing stress‑related ill‑health again. But they also describe that the brain can recover, so that mental health, work ability, and cognitive functions improve again. 

If you have had contact with healthcare regarding your stress-related symptoms, it may be good to book a follow‑up appointment where you can raise your concerns and get help identifying how you can increase the conditions for continued recovery, and how you can prevent overloading your brain in an unhealthy way, based on your daily life and current situation. 

Take care of yourself! 
Licensed Psychologist