Is burnout the same as depression?

No. Burnout is tied to work context; depression can occur with or without work stress. Only a clinician can diagnose depression.

How do I know it’s burnout and not just stress?

Stress eases with rest or a lighter week. Burnout lingers with detachment and reduced effectiveness, even after time off.

Where can I seek support?

Talk with your clinician and employer resources (manager/HR/EAP). Peer support and workload discussions can help.

Is burnout the same as depression?

No. Burnout is tied to work context; depression can occur with or without work stress. Only a clinician can diagnose depression.

How do I know it’s burnout and not just stress?

Stress eases with rest or a lighter week. Burnout lingers with detachment and reduced effectiveness, even after time off.

Where can I seek support?

Talk with your clinician and employer resources (manager/HR/EAP). Peer support and workload discussions can help.

Signs of Burnout: What Your Body and Mind Are Saying

Q: What are the most common signs of burnout?

Exhaustion, growing distance or cynicism about work, and feeling less effective. Sleep issues, irritability, and brain fog are also common.

Short answer: Burnout isn’t laziness. It’s what happens when demand beats recovery for too long. The pattern shows up as exhaustion, mental distance, and feeling less effective—often with sleep problems, irritability, and brain fog.

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Signs of Burnout: The Pattern You Can’t Ignore

Full answer: A. What it is
Burnout is long-running work stress that leaves you drained, more distant from your role, and feeling less effective—the same three features used in international workplace guidance (see the WHO/ICD-11 burnout overview).

B. How it shows up day to day
Most people notice signs in three buckets:

Body: heavy fatigue, headaches, restless or unrefreshing sleep, afternoon dips (see the Mayo Clinic job burnout guide).
Emotions: irritability, quick tears, feeling numb or cynical (see NHS work-related stress).
Mind/behavior: brain fog, mistakes, avoidance, dread before work (see the APA burnout overview).

C. Stress vs. burnout (quick compare)

Stress: “a lot right now,” and you bounce back after rest or a lighter week.
Burnout: nothing left to give, growing distance from work, and lower output—even after time off (matches the WHO/ICD-11 burnout overview).

D. Why it builds
Common drivers include workload/pace, low control over how/when you work, thin recognition, unfairness or fuzzy rules, weak community/support, and values clashes or moral distress (see NHS work-related stress and the APA burnout overview).

E. What you can do today (direction, not a plan)
Clarify boundaries on after-hours work, raise workload concerns with your manager, and seek peer or HR support. These steps align with the Mayo Clinic job burnout guide and the APA burnout overview.

F. When to seek help
If signs persist most days for 2+ weeks, or you feel unsafe—please contact your clinician or employer resources now.

Key takeaways

Burnout = exhaustion, mental distance, reduced effectiveness.
Look for sleep problems, irritability, brain fog, and dread before work.
Drivers: workload/pace, control, recognition, fairness, support, and values fit.
Boundaries and support conversations matter—burnout isn’t a personal failure.
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Deep Dive

1) Demand vs recovery (the core mismatch)

When pace and workload stay high without real recovery, your stress system never fully idles. Energy drains, patience thins, and small hassles feel huge. Tiny note: track one week of “peaks and pits” to see where demand outpaces recovery. Mini check: notice if a clearer pattern appears.

2) Low control & moving targets

Little say in how/when you work creates helplessness. Even simple tasks feel heavy when rules shift or tools don’t fit. Tiny note: ask for one decision you can own (order of tasks, template choice, meeting length). Mini check: notice if motivation bumps after a small win.

3) Recognition, fairness, and trust

When effort isn’t seen—or rules feel uneven—cynicism grows. You spend energy watching your back instead of working. Tiny note: request clear success criteria and feedback cadence. Mini check: notice if focus improves when progress is visible.

4) Sleep timing & mental noise

Late screens and irregular bedtimes scramble your sleep pressure and body clock. You wake tired and reactive; brain fog lingers. Tiny note: keep a steady sleep window and move caffeine earlier. Mini check: notice if mornings stabilize within a week.

5) Body ↔ mind loop

Tense shoulders, clenched jaw, and shallow breathing signal “not safe,” which amplifies irritability and fog. Tiny note: between tasks, lengthen your exhale and roll shoulders. Mini check: notice if your voice softens and thinking clears.

Proof (selected studies & numbers)

Burnout features exhaustion, mental distance, and reduced effectiveness (see the WHO/ICD-11 burnout overview).
Medical resources describe job burnout signs/causes and help-seeking in the Mayo Clinic job burnout guide.
National health guidance lists work-related stressors and support options in the NHS work-related stress pages.
Psychology resources cover burnout mechanisms and workplace supports in the APA burnout overview.

Comparisons & alternatives

Burnout vs stress: stress fades with rest; burnout lingers with detachment and reduced effectiveness (see the WHO/ICD-11 burnout overview).
Burnout vs depression: they can overlap; if low mood and loss of interest last 2+ weeks, involve a clinician (see NHS work-related stress).
“Work harder” vs boundary talks: grit helps less than right-sizing workload and control (see APA burnout overview).
All-hours email vs protected windows: reply windows reduce overload without harming responsiveness (see the Mayo Clinic job burnout guide).

FAQ

What are the most common signs of burnout? Exhaustion, distance or cynicism about work, and reduced effectiveness—often with sleep issues and irritability.

Is burnout a medical diagnosis? No. It’s an occupational phenomenon; only a clinician can diagnose health conditions.

Can I recover without changing jobs? Many people improve with workload changes, boundaries, and support; sometimes a role change helps.

When should I get help now? If you feel unsafe, can’t function, or signs persist most days for 2+ weeks, contact your clinician or employer resources.

Author: The Reset Society
Last updated: 18/09/2025

Try the 14-Day Lower-Sugar Mood Experiment

Replace sugary drinks with water/unsweetened tea.
Build protein + fiber breakfasts (e.g., eggs + oats or yogurt + nuts + berries).
Swap desserts for fruit + Greek yogurt 5 nights/week.
Track mood/energy (1–10) daily; adjust.