What is the difference between burnout and depression?
Burnout and depression have many similarities but some very key differences. Keep on reading to learn more about the two so that you can spot them in yourself and possibly others. Please seek help and support as having either one of these is something we shouldn’t have to manage on our own.
Some similarities between burnout & depression
Low mood
Tiredness and fatigue
Anxiousness and worry
Not wanting to do things that you use to enjoy
Low mood
Feeling depressed, feeling sad, feeling like just not as happy as you normally do. Having a low mood can happen to a person whether they are depressed or if they are burnout. Maybe even going out with you friends just doesn’t make you happy anymore. You don’t find yourself looking forward to anything.
Tiredness and fatigue
It is one thing to be sleepy from a bad night's sleep or even a few for that matter. But chronic sleepiness and fatigue are hallmarks of depression and burnout. It might be harder to get through the day and all you can think about is crawling into bed. You might even feel this type of tired in your body. A common feeling is feeling like you are running on a half empty tank.
Anxiousness and worry
Both depression and burnout can lead to feeling anxious and worry. We start to wonder if others notice us not being on our “A game.” Or that we seem a little off. We start to worry about whether we are being a good friend or not. We start to worry about our job performance and fearing that we might be let go if we can’t keep up with the demands.
Not wanting to do things that you use to enjoy
Maybe you find yourself no longer wanting to go to your local spin class. Maybe you find yourself turning down or ignoring invitation from friends and family. Maybe it is even more subtle than that. You find yourself not humming and whistling. You find yourself not putting on music as you get ready for the day.
Now let's talk about some key differences between depression & burnout.
Signs of Burnout
Often related to work or school stress
Can be the result of a go-go-go lifestyle
Might be the result of being ac chronic people pleaser
Might be related to never asking for help
Often related to work or school stress
Now you certainly can be depressed due to your work, but more often it is burn out. If you find yourself dreading Monday and counting down the hours till you clock out, you might burn out. Work expectations can often be ridiculous at some jobs, and when you add in a lack of praise and sense of accomplishment, well you get burnout. Often a vacation is not enough to cure burnout. A true cure for burnout is reassess job expectations and work culture. If you can’t change the culture, if you can delegate and not take on so much. I would encourage you to speak with your supervisor or HR. Chronic work stress has many health implications and it is important we address it fast.
Can be the result of a go-go-go lifestyle
Our bodies are not meant to be on the go 24/7, our bodies need rest and down time. Rest is more than a good nights sleep. Rest is taking a day to do nothing. Rest is choosing to do something for fun instead of work. A balanced lifestyle can help prevent burn out.
Might be the result of being ac chronic people pleaser
Related to what was said above, it is important to rest. Say yes to everything or yes to helping others all the time will lead to feeling burnt out. Wether you are always saying yes to family or your co-workers.
Might be related to never asking for help
Asking for help is not a bad thing, we are not meant to take on the world alone. We are social beings and thrive on communication and collaboration. If a project is big, ask for support. No one gets an award for being the most tired.
No one gets an award for being the most tired.
Signs of Depression
Clinical diagnosis
Can be the result of a major life change
Feelings of shame, guilt, worthlessness
Feeling like you are a bad person
It might be hard to identify what caused it
Clinical Diagnosis
Depression is a clinical psychiatric diagnosis that is given by a medical professional. Often times depression has to be present for a set number of time and have certain symptoms. Depression will keep people from being able to function such as going to work, school, sleeping, eating, hygiene, and maintaining their relationships.
Can be the result of a major life change
Moving away, going to a new school, ending a relationship and losing a loved one are all examples of what can lead to a depressed mood. It is more than a “funk,” depression can be hard to manage without treatment.
Feelings of shame, guilt, worthlessness, and Suicidal Ideation
Feelings are a normal part of the human experience, even the “bad ones” (PSA there are no bad feelings). Shame, guilt, and worthlessness are often experienced by those struggling with depression. Suicidal ideation and thoughts about self harm are common in those struggling with depression. This is serious and a person should seek support.
Feeling like you are a bad person
Feeling like you are a bad person is often connected to depression and low self esteem. These thoughts and feelings impact our ability to be the best version of ourselves and live a life we are happy about.
It might be hard to identify what caused it
Burnout is more often than not related to work or school. But depression can be a little harder to figure out where it came from. Often times people are depressed on and off for years and never seek help. Sometimes depression is just another part of who they are- so they think.
Can burnout lead to depression?
The short answer is yes, but it is a little more complicated than that. Burnout can usually be fixed by taking on less and reassessing your work and school life. While depression usually requires the support of a trained mental health professional. If you are someone you know is struggling with either depression or burnout, please reach out for support.
I can help!
I often help people with depression and burnout and would be happy to schedule a free consultation to see if I can help you address these issues. Click here to read more about how I treat depression and anxiety. Book below or give me a call.