Burnout vs Depression? Understanding the Difference

Do you wake up feeling drained, unmotivated, or overwhelmed? If so, you may be experiencing burnout, or potentially even depression. Burnout and depression often share overlapping symptoms, but they aren’t the same. Understanding the difference matters to ensure prompt and proper care. In this blog, we’ll break down the similarities and differences between burnout vs depression, the causes and symptoms of burnout, and effective treatment, so you can take informed, actionable steps toward feeling like yourself again.

What Is Burnout?

“Burnout,” a term coined by psychologists Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North, is a state of complete exhaustion caused by overwhelming stress, including chronic emotional, mental, or physical fatigue. While burnout is typically temporary, a person may feel detached, drained, irritable, lethargic, or in physical pain until the issue is resolved.

Burnout isn’t an official medical diagnosis, but can still affect all aspects of your health if left untreated. Not only does it make you less productive and more cynical, but it also makes you more susceptible to ailments like the flu or common cold.

What Ae the Causes of Burnout?

For a long time, burnout was attributed to the workplace – the stress of deadlines, difficult coworkers or managers, unrelenting overtime, and high-anxiety environments. Now, mental health professionals have identified other areas of life that can negatively affect one’s well-being by causing burnout, including education, parenting, caregiving, or simply taking on too many tasks at once.

Work-related factors that may contribute to burnout include:

- - Hostile workplaces
  - Unmanageable workloads or deadlines
  - Poor leadership communication or support
  - Lack of communication or support from managers
  - High-stress work environments
  - Poor work/life balance

Factors external from the workplace include:

- - Poor sleep habits/exhaustion
  - Unrelenting family obligations or schedules
  - Being a caregiver on top of work demands
  - Lack of supportive or meaningful relationships
  - Specific personality traits, such as a need for control or perfection

Stages of Burnout

Burnout is a physical and mental state that develops over time; a person may be deep into it before realizing the problem. The 12-Stage Model of Burnout, developed by psychologists North and Freudenberger, details this progressive breakdown:

- - Compulsion for Perfection: The first stage of burnout; a compulsion to achieve perfection or prove your worth
  - Workaholic Tendencies: Needing to do everything yourself while working longer hours, to the point of sacrificing personal responsibilities and relationships
  - Self-Neglect: Not taking proper care of yourself by losing sleep, skipping meals or eating unhealthily, and not taking time to relax
  - Interpersonal Conflicts: An increase in friction with coworkers, family members, or friends as irritability increases due to lost sleep and stressful situations
  - Reevaluating Values: Compulsion and work take priority over personal relationships and care; feeling trapped by stress but unable to escape the pattern
  - Denial: Ignoring signs of worsening physical and mental health, negative attitudes, and poor performance, often resulting in bitterness
  - Withdrawal: Pulling away from loved ones, social activities, and responsibilities outside of the goal; may result in self-medicating with substances
  - Behavioral Changes: May include mood swings, bursts of anger, cynicism, impulsivity, apathy, and avoidance
  - Depersonalization: A loss of identity as you associate yourself with the work only; feeling detached, meaningless, or unworthy of self-care outside of your achievements or others
  - Inner Emptiness: The stage when exhaustion starts to overwhelm and anxiety sets in
  - Depression: Exhaustion turns into hopelessness, thoughts of self-hate, and no motivation
  - Total Burnout: The final stage of physical and mental collapse; immediate help is required

Is Burnout the Same as Depression?

In short, no – depression is a clinical diagnosis, while burnout is a psychological syndrome. The two share some commonalities, with overlapping symptoms and risk factors.

However, burnout is typically more situation-specific and results from operating at a high level for too long or overexerting oneself, resulting in prolonged mental and physical stress that may be alleviated by resolving the high-stress environment. Meanwhile, depression is the result of more complex biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can present regardless of the person’s circumstances.

Symptoms of Depression:

- - Low or depressive moods
  - Chronic fatigue or problems sleeping
  - Changes in appetite (not eating enough, overeating)
  - Loss of joy in favorite hobbies or activities
  - Feeling worthless, sad, or empty
  - Difficulty concentrating or reduced motor function
  - Thoughts of self-harm
  - Unintentional weight changes
  - Restlessness
  - Physical pains (body aches, headaches, cramps, digestive problems)

Signs of Burnout

- - Feeling tired or exhausted
  - Withdrawal from work or social activities
  - Urge to quit one’s job
  - Apathy toward previously enjoyed work or hobbies
  - Increased pessimism or cynicism
  - Difficulty concentrating
  - Feelings of self-doubt
  - Body aches or headaches
  - Loss of appetite
  - Sleep problems

As you can see, burnout often mimics symptoms of depression, and signs may be subtle in the beginning, making it harder to differentiate between them.

So, How Can I Tell the Difference between Burnout and Depression?

To start, burnout is a temporary issue that can be resolved through lifestyle changes. Depression, on the other hand, is a diagnosed mental health condition that persists despite environmental changes and may require therapeutic and/or medication intervention.

Key factors that can help determine burnout vs depression:

- - Feelings of Frustration vs. Despair: Burnout often leaves a person feeling frustrated with their current circumstances, while depression results in deep-rooted hopelessness for one’s future.
  - Circumstance vs. Omnipresent: Burnout is usually the result of a specific environment, job, or situation. Depression, on the other hand, has no root cause and can persist even when things appear to be going “right” in life.
  - Temporary vs. Ongoing: Burnout can get better quickly – changing jobs, taking much-needed PTO, wrapping up a difficult project. Depression is a lasting struggle, one that typically doesn’t improve without professional treatment.

Treatment for Burnout

Once burnout has been identified, regardless of the cause, it’s important to take action. If left untreated, it could result in lasting physical and mental distress, in addition to impacting personal and professional relationships.

Long-term effects include:

- - Head, muscle, and joint pain
  - Heart disease
  - Weight struggles
  - Stomach and lung problems
  - Loss of job
  - Loss of relationships

To avoid these problems, focus on ways to be proactive in treating burnout:

- - Identify the Problem: Recognize and accept that you’re experiencing burnout, and determine what led to it. Then, focus on how you’re feeling and how you can manage your circumstances to improve your emotional well-being.
  - Step Away from the Problem: Now that you’ve identified the source, remove yourself from the situation, if possible. You may not be able to step away permanently, but try to take a few days off or schedule time just for yourself.
  - Speak Up: Whether or not you can step away for a bit, communicate your struggles with your leadership team or family. The goal is to work together to create a more manageable workload or better home environment.
  - Make Positive Changes: You know the problem, so how can you change it? Does change mean a new job, or simply getting help? Can you manage burnout symptoms at home with proper exercise and diet, or do you need professional help? Identify the changes you want to make, and be firm in following through.
  - Take Care of Yourself: Get a good night’s sleep. Exercise at least 10-30 minutes daily. Eat healthy meals and avoid sugar, caffein, nicotine, and alcohol. Relax with yoga, reading, soaking in the tub, or other calming activities. Altogether, prioritizing self-care goes a long way in treating burnout.
  - Seek Help: Spend time with loved ones and let them be a source of comfort and communication when you need to vent. Working with a mental health professional can also help you learn valuable coping skills.

Feel Like Yourself Again

While there’s no established timeline for burnout recovery, the sooner you identify and treat signs of burnout, the better you’ll feel. If burnout becomes overwhelming, or you’re worried you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, including treatment-resistant depression, Mindful Health Solutions can help. We offer interventional psychiatry services, including TMS therapy, SPRAVATO, and IV ketamine therapy, to target clinical depression so you feel better, faster. Reach out today for the compassionate support you deserve.

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