Utmattad

Utmattad is a Swedish adjective meaning physically and mentally exhausted or drained, often after prolonged work, stress, illness, or caregiving. It can describe a temporary state of fatigue as well as a longer-term condition when recovery is slow.

Etymology: The word consists of the stem matt meaning tired and the prefix ut- that conveys outward or thoroughness; utmattad is the past participle form used in everyday Swedish to describe someone who has become exhausted.

In everyday language people might say "jag är utmattad efter dagens möten" or "utmattad av arbetet," but in clinical contexts the term is closely associated with the broader concept of exhaustion or burnout, such as utmattningssyndrom. This is used to refer to a syndrome characterized by persistent fatigue and reduced functioning caused by chronic stress, typically evaluated by healthcare professionals. It is distinct from short-term tiredness and from conditions like depression or chronic fatigue syndrome, though symptoms may overlap.

Usage and nuance: The adjective can describe both physical and mental exhaustion and can apply to various situations—from intense study to caregiving. In contemporary Swedish, burnout-related terms like utmattningssyndrom or bristande återhämtning are more commonly discussed in health care and policy contexts.