Burnout and depression share similar features that can make it challenging to tell the two apart. Burnout is considered situational, however, while depression can affect every area of daily life and function.
Depression and burnout represent different experiences, though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably to describe feelings of mental and physical exhaustion, emotional disconnect, and reduced motivation.
While burnout and depression may resemble one another in some aspects, several important differences set them apart.
Burnout and depression are not the same, but some
Areas of effect
One of the most defining differences between burnout and depression may be their areas of effect.
Burnout, also known as burnout syndrome (BOS),
Depression, officially known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mental health condition with a set list of diagnostic criteria. It often affects most or all areas of your life, including occupation, academics, cognitive abilities, emotions, social function, and personal agency.
Can burnout occur outside of the workplace?
Burnout typically relates to the workplace, but by definition, it can apply to other occupations.
Occupations are purpose-filled activities you do regularly, like caring for a child or working on a major home improvement project. They demand your focus because they hold significant meaning to you and often involve emotional investment.
Some
Symptoms
Burnout and depression share certain symptoms, but these often differ in scope and duration.
Symptoms of MDD involve significant impairment or distress. They’re present nearly all day, almost every day, regardless of your circumstances.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) lists the formal symptoms of MDD as:
- low mood (sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, despair)
- loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- unintentional weight or appetite changes
- sleeping too much or too little
- fatigue or energy loss
- restlessness or slowed motor function
- challenged concentration or difficulty making decisions
- recurrent suicidal ideation
To receive a diagnosis of MDD, at least five of these symptoms must be present during the same 2-week period, including low mood or diminished interest.
MDD may also feature physical symptoms such as:
- body or joint aches and pains
- headache
- cramps
- digestive issues
In burnout, symptoms are limited to occupational experiences and may improve once you’re no longer in that situation.
According to the ICD-11, burnout primarily encompasses
- energy depletion (low energy) or exhaustion
- mental distancing, negativism, or cynicism regarding your occupation (feeling tired or indifferent about what you do)
- reduced professional efficacy (changes in performance or how well you do what you do)
A study from 2021 expanded on burnout’s symptoms and identified them as:
- exhaustion
- low concentration and decision making capabilities
- social withdrawal
- loss of empathy
- reduced work performance
Burnout doesn’t have defined diagnostic criteria, but other symptoms have also been reported, such as:
- increased anxiety
- low tolerance of frustration
- fearfulness
- inadequate sleep
- muscle tension
- headaches
- digestive issues
Causes
The exact causes of MDD aren’t fully understood but
Burnout is believed to be
Research from 2019 suggests that, while burnout and depression appear to be distinct constructs, there may be an overlap between burnout, depression, and anxiety resulting from possible shared risk factors and underlying mechanisms.
In other words, if you’re prone to burnout, you may also be more likely to experience depression or anxiety, and vice versa. More research is necessary to determine exact associations.
Treatments
As a formal diagnosis, MDD has clinical practice guidelines that provide a framework for treatment. This written standard is established by a panel of experts and focuses on evidence-based therapies.
The practice guidelines for MDD recommend treating depression with a combination of medications, psychotherapy, and supportive therapies. The goal is to reduce distressing symptoms while helping you identify and reframe unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior.
Burnout doesn’t have a clinical practice guideline because it isn’t a recognized medical condition. That doesn’t mean it can’t be managed, however.
General goals in the management of burnout include:
- improving coping skills
- alleviating and recovering from chronic stress
- establishing a balance between occupation and rest
You may be able to work on these goals by:
- establishing and upholding occupation boundaries
- delegating and reducing occupation responsibilities
- taking regular breaks
- working to develop new coping skills
- prioritizing self-care
- engaging in regular stress management and relaxation techniques
- leaving the occupational situation, if possible
- speaking with a therapist
It may be possible to experience burnout and depression at the same time.
According to 2019 research, burnout appears to be a risk factor for depression.
If burnout leads to MDD, it doesn’t mean the initial burnout is resolved. You may still experience occupational-specific symptoms of burnout while living with MDD.
It may also be possible to experience co-existing burnout from your occupation and MDD from unrelated causes.
Suicide ideation is not considered a core aspect of burnout experiences, but burnout may increase the likelihood you think of death, self-harm, and suicide.
A large, cross-sectional study from 2023, for example, found exhaustion from burnout was linked to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, even when depression was not a contributing factor.
Current evidence supports the idea that burnout and depression are similar but separate experiences. Differences in areas of effect, symptom duration, scope, and management options help set these conditions apart.