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Stress & burnout

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, unable to switch off. Help to turn it around.

Speak to a GP about stress and burnoutFrom £79

In short

Stress and burnout are common and reversible with the right support. A GP can assess the impact, rule out or treat underlying anxiety or depression, provide a sick note where needed, and point you to effective help.

Overview

What is stress & burnout?

Stress is the body's response to pressure; burnout is the exhaustion that builds up from prolonged, unmanaged stress, often from work. Short-term stress is normal, but when it's constant it affects sleep, mood, concentration, and physical health, and can tip into anxiety or depression. It's very treatable with practical support.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Feeling constantly overwhelmed or under pressure
  • Exhaustion that rest doesn't fix
  • Irritability or low mood
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Physical symptoms (headaches, tension, stomach upset, palpitations)
  • Losing motivation or feeling detached from work

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book a GP if stress is affecting your sleep, mood, health, or ability to function, if you feel burnt out, or if you need time off to recover.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm (call 999, NHS 111, or Samaritans 116 123)
  • Chest pain or palpitations (always rule out a physical cause)
  • Being unable to function at all, or to keep yourself safe

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • A confidential assessment of what's driving your stress and its effects
  • Practical advice on workload, boundaries, sleep, and recovery
  • Screening for anxiety or depression, which often overlap with burnout
  • A private sick note for work where time off is needed
  • Signposting to NHS Talking Therapies and self-help resources
  • Where appropriate, treatment or referral if an underlying condition is found

What we don't do

  • Emergency mental health crisis care (use the resources above)
  • Prescribe controlled drugs or sedatives for stress

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about stress and burnout starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about stress & burnout

Is burnout a medical diagnosis?
Burnout is recognised as a syndrome from chronic workplace stress rather than a formal medical illness, but its effects are real. We assess it alongside anxiety and depression, which often co-exist.
Can you provide a sick note for stress?
Yes, where it's clinically appropriate we can issue a private fit note so you can take time to recover. These are private documents and don't entitle you to state benefits.
Will I need medication?
Often not, stress responds best to practical changes and support. If there's underlying anxiety or depression, medication may help and we'll discuss it.
What self-help works?
Protecting sleep, regular exercise, reducing alcohol and caffeine, setting boundaries, and structured breaks. Talking therapy is effective too, and free via NHS Talking Therapies.
See all conditions we can help with

Ready to talk to a GP about stress and burnout?

Message Emily on WhatsApp or book online in under 90 seconds. UK-registered doctors, available today.

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7 days a week · 08:00–22:00 · WhatsApp or email