What's the difference between burnout and depression?

Burnout and depression can feel really similar, and sometimes you might even be dealing with both. Common symptoms that can overlap between burnout and depression include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, changes in sleep patterns, and feeling disconnected or unmotivated. However, the key difference is that burnout occurs as a result of external stressors, like having a big project at work or being a caretaker.

Symptoms of burnout also develop gradually over time as the stressor persists. With burnout, there is a strong correlation between the stressor and the intensity of your feelings of burnout. Clinical depression, on the other hand, can sometimes occur without a clear reason. You might feel persistently sad, hopeless, or like you’ve lost interest in things you used to enjoy, even when nothing seems "wrong" on the surface. Both burnout and depression can be debilitating, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you're struggling.

Kathryn Lee