Burnout is a form of mental exhaustion that stems from feeling overwhelmed or swamped, according to WebMD. It has become more commonplace, especially among working parents, and those employed in fields like nursing.

It can be hard to differentiate burnout from depression. Knowing the symptoms is important because burnout can lead to depression, and depression is a longer-term medical condition that requires treatment.

What is burnout?

An easy way to determine whether you have burnout and not depression is to try and remove the source of your stress. If this makes you feel better, then there is a higher chance of experiencing burnout and not depression.

For instance, if you feel stressed while working, but relaxed on the weekends, you might be experiencing burnout.

Burnout is somewhat common among U.S. workers. According to a Mental Health America Survey, 75% of workers have experienced burnout.

Regardless, burnout is not always related to your job or professional responsibilities. Some factors that contribute to burnout include a lack of control, having unclear job expectations, being in a toxic environment, overexerting your energy, and experiencing constant stress.

Symptoms of burnout

Symptoms of burnout include:

• Exhaustion
• Reduced positivity
• A loss of identity
• Cynicism

Seeking help for burnout

If you have continuing burnout symptoms, it is always good to get checked by your primary care doctor or mental health professional. 

It is also important to communicate how you’re feeling, whether it is to your coworkers, supervisors, or family members. 

Assess your lifestyle choices and eliminate the source of stress that’s causing your burnout. Take some more time to take care of yourself, exercise, and do activities you enjoy.

What is depression?

Depression is a severe medical illness. It causes a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed and can lead to various physical and emotional problems.

It affects 6.7% of adults in any given year, and 16.6% of people will experience it at some point in their life. While it can occur at any time, it usually appears during late teens to mid-20s.

Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression include:

• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• The feeling of being worthless
• Suicidal thoughts

To qualify as depression, symptoms must last at least two weeks, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Seeking help for depression

Before treatment, a health professional has to evaluate you to identify the symptoms and determine the best course of treatment moving forward.

There are three types of treatments: medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) used in more severe cases.

Regular exercise is also known to help people feel better; it is also important to get enough hours of sleep and follow a healthy diet.

What is the difference between burnout and depression?

While symptoms can overlap, the key difference noted by experts is how long symptoms last.

Burnout symptoms are usually temporary and disappear after you address them. If not addressed, these can also affect your physical health and cause heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol, and even type 2 diabetes.

Depression symptoms, on the other hand, can get in the way of your daily life and are longer-term. Depression is a diagnosable mental health condition that can cause other symptoms like feeling empty, having low self-esteem, and changes in appetite.

It is, however, important to note that burnout can lead to depression which is why if you have ongoing symptoms, you should seek professional help.