Commentators advanced the view that burnout differs from depression because the cortisol profile of burnout differs from that of melancholic depression; however, as the above table indicates, burnouts cortisol profile is similar to that of atypical depression.It has previously been hypothesised that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is caused by burnout. It is suggested that the "burning out" of the bodys stress symptom (by any of a wide range of causes) can lead to chronic fatigue. However, the very nomenclature of "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" is viewed as problematic by both patients and healthcare professionals specialising in the condition, as it fails to encompass the wide range of non-fatigue related symptoms present in ME/CFS, or to differentiate between the so-named condition and the symptom of chronic fatigue which is present in many unrelated conditions or diseases. Furthermore, more up-to-date research has shown that ME/CFS is a multi-systemic condition that is not psychological in etiology and so comparison to occupational burnout is now less prudent.Overtraining syndrome is also known as "chronic fatigue," "burnout" and "overstress" in athletes. It has been conceptualised as adjustment disorder, a common diagnosis for those burnt out.Recovering alcoholics often have a blunted cortisol response to stress, as do some cancer patients and survivors. This symptom is a particular feature of people suffering burnout. Altered cortisol response is experienced by up to 80% of people with depression. Risk factors
Evidence suggests that the etiology of burnout is multifactorial, with personality factors playing an important, long-overlooked role.
It was also found that some people with declarative information amnesia are able to be primed.Studies were completed consistently throughout Molaisons lifetime to discover more about amnesia. Researchers did a 14-year follow-up study on Molaison. They studied him for a period of two weeks to learn more about his amnesia. After 14 years, Molaison still could not recall things that had happened since his surgery. However, he could still remember things that had happened prior to the operation. Researchers also found that, when asked, Molaison could answer questions about national or international events, but he could not remember his own personal memories. After his death Molaison donated his brain to science, where they were able to discover the areas of the brain that had the lesions which caused his amnesia, particularly the medial temporal lobe. This case study provided important insight to the areas of the brain that are affected in anterograde amnesia, as well as how amnesia works. H.M.s case showed us that memory processes are consolidated into different parts of the brain and that short-term and working memory are not usually impaired in cases of amnesia. Clive Wearing
Another famous historical case of amnesia was that of Clive Wearing. Clive Wearing was a conductor and musician who contracted herpes simplex virus. This virus affected the hippocampal regions of the brain. Because of this damage, Wearing was unable to remember information for more than a few moments. Wearings non-declarative memory was still functioning but his declarative memory was impaired.