Do you feel exhausted and lack motivation to the point that even simple tasks feel overwhelming? It’s a common issue that arises as we strive for success and happiness in an increasingly complex world. You might wonder if you’re burned out or if it’s depression you’re experiencing.
At times, depression and burnout may intertwine, blurring symptom lines, and leaving you unsure of whether you’re depressed or burned out. The similarities can be confusing, but there are some differences between the two. Knowing them can get a better grip on what’s causing those feelings of being overwhelmed.
Let’s dig deeper and better understand the differences between depression and burnout, explore the nuances, and uncover strategies for vitality and well-being. How do you know whether you’re suffering from burnout or depression?
Burnout is Situational
According to Statista.com, almost half of employees experience stress during work hours. So, it’s not surprising that burnout is on the rise. But what does it mean to be burned out and how do you know it’s not an early sign of depression?
Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic stress and comes from being overworked or unhappy on the job. But it can also be triggered or worsened by family stress, financial burdens, and other pressures.
Specific situations and circumstances cause burnout and the more you’re stuck in that situation, the more frazzled and disengaged you feel. For example, your boss asks you to work late one night, and it becomes a habit, leading you to spend more time at the office instead of the cozy confines of your home.
Yet when you take a much-needed break from work—a blissful extended vacation, or finally resolving those pesky financial worries that plague your sleepless nights—you feel better. Why? Because you’re out of the situation. A transformative shift in perspective, improved sleep patterns, and a resurgence of boundless energy.
Both Burnout and Depression Are All-Encompassing
The impact of burnout permeates every facet of your existence, infiltrating your home, work, and social life with its harmful effects. Not only that, but it can also wreak havoc on your mental well-being and your physical health. For example, when you’re burned out, you don’t sleep as well and are at risk of the negative effects of too little sleep. That’s why it’s important to confront it and not let it fester.
While work-related factors are a common source of burnout, feelings of being stuck, frustrated, and down can strike anyone who feels overburdened and undervalued. It can afflict the diligent office worker who hasn’t had a vacation in years or the frazzled stay-at-home mom juggling the demands of children, household chores, and an aging parent. Anyone can experience it and many do.
In contrast, clinical depression is not typically linked to a specific event or situation. Rather there’s a profound sadness, low self-esteem, and a sense of hopelessness that lacks a specific trigger. While external factors like work-related stress can make depressive symptoms worse, depression itself is not situational, like burnout. Even if you change your job or your environment, the feelings of hopelessness and sadness are still there.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have concerns about your mental health, it is crucial to seek assistance from a mental health professional who can offer the necessary support and resources for your well-being.
Both Depression and Burnout Can Cause Physical Symptoms
If you’re grappling with burnout, you may have physical and mental health issues related to being burned out, including low energy, restless sleeping patterns, or digestive issues coupled with a heightened sense of frustration, rage, or sadness. Conversely living with depression brings similar obstacles to deal with, yet the symptoms fluctuate less. They’re constantly there and are often more profound and resistant to treatment.
In contrast, if you’re burned out, you can get temporary relief by taking an extended vacation to a tropical island and removing yourself from the stress of the situation. Individuals with job burnout often feel better and have a “new lease on life” during weekends when they are away from work, only to have symptoms resurface intensely on Monday mornings.
Low self-esteem, self-doubt, and feelings of worthlessness are often more pronounced with depression. Individuals with depression often harbor deep-rooted sentiments of worthlessness and inadequacy that persist even when they’re lying under an umbrella at the beach.
You Can Be Both Depressed and Burned Out
Depression and burnout are not mutually exclusive. You can be both depressed and burnout. In some cases, depression brings burnout, but it can also occur in people who are not clinically depressed. For example, burnout symptoms can precede depressive symptoms. You could also have had depression for a time without realizing it, which makes it easier for burnout symptoms to slip under the radar. Burnout and depression are so closely related that experts believe burnout increases the risk of developing clinical depression.
Both Depression and Burnout Can Cause Relationship Problems
It is important to seek help for even mild burnout because it can strain relationships and lead to chronic stress, exhaustion, and overwhelm. Burnout and depression can both cause relationship problems and make it difficult to engage with others. Burnout is a distinct construct from depression, but the two are linked and can have similar symptoms. Like depression, burnout can have negative effects on physical health and make you more vulnerable to illness, just as depression can. It is important to deal with burnout right away to prevent long-term consequences.
In some cases, a relationship itself is a trigger for burnout. It’s a sign that you need to look more closely at your relationships and whether they’re adding value to your life or draining you. It’s okay to set boundaries and prioritize your well-being, even if it means ending a relationship. Remember, a healthy relationship should uplift and support, not drain you.
Both Burnout and Depression Need Attention
Although burnout isn’t a mental health condition in a medical sense like depression, both can be serious enough to disrupt life and create health issues. If you have either, make getting help a priority. If your burnout is work-related, discuss the situation with your workplace. It may be possible to lower your stress load by working remotely part of the time. If the symptoms aren’t related to work, or if you have a history of depression, talk to a mental health professional.
Clinical depression often responds to therapy and medication (which may include antidepressants). If you’re burned out, it may be time for a change in job or living environment, along with short-term counseling to learn how to better manage stress.
With either condition, focus more on self-care. Take care of yourself by eating well and getting regular exercise. These are important for treating any mental or physical health condition. Make sure you’re practicing a healthy lifestyle and making time for yourself. Your mental health is worth it!
References:
- “Burnout vs. Depression: What’s the Difference?.” 16 Feb. 2022, psychcentral.com/depression/burnout-vs-depression.
- Schonfeld IS, Bianchi R, Palazzi S. What is the difference between depression and burnout? An ongoing debate. Riv Psichiatr. 2018 Jul-Aug;53(4):218-219. doi: 10.1708/2954.29699. PMID: 30087493.
- “How To Tell The Difference Between Depression And Burnout.” 05 Nov. 2015, prevention.com/life/a20486040/depression-or-burnout/.
- “Stress and burnout – Statistics & Facts | Statista.” 17 May. 2023, https://www.statista.com/topics/2099/stress-and-burnout/.
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