Depression vs. Burnout... What's the Difference?
We live in a fast-paced world that is on 24 hours a day. There’s always a deadline looming, a task needing to be completed, or someone needing attention.
It’s no wonder that mental health can take such a quick hit when being pulled in multiple directions from pressing demands. Two common concerns when faced with mental health challenges are depression and burnout.
Both of these conditions can manifest with some similarity, but in fact are two very different conditions. When seeking out a course of treatment, it’s important that you’re pursuing the correct approach.
If you think you may be dealing with depression or burnout—or both even—here’s an overview of how depression and burnout differ.
What Does Depression Look Like?
Depression is a common mental health condition affecting millions of people worldwide. The experiences for each person can manifest in different ways. Depression is often characterized by:
Persistent feelings of sadness
Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
Loss of interest in typically enjoyable activities
Trouble concentrating
Difficulty making decisions
Feeling worthless
Reduced energy levels
Changes to sleep and appetite
Depression is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, often triggered by stressful situations. As depression worsens or hits the more chronic stage, symptoms can become severe. In some instances of depression, it can lead to thoughts of self-harm.
What Is Burnout?
Much like depression, burnout can often be a result of prolonged stress. Burnout is considered being a state of mental, emotional, or physical exhaustion. This is a common phenomenon in the workplace, but doesn't have to be exclusive to those scenarios.
Burnout symptoms often include:
Feeling exhausted or tired frequently
Reduced sense of accomplishment or success
Feeling overwhelmed or ineffective
Headaches
Insomnia
One thing worth noting about burnout symptoms is that they often resolve with adequate rest or modifications to your daily routine.
Distinction Between Depression and Burnout
Both of these conditions are linked to the connection between mental health and daily life demands. While symptoms can present in somewhat similar fashions, there are some key differences.
The Root Cause
Depression often stems from more chronic or unalterable variables. There are genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors at play.
Burnout, on the other hand, is more aligned with situational stressors. An overwhelming project at work or a tense dynamic with a colleague. Chronic workplace stress is probably the number one cause of feelings of burnout.
The Scope
Depression in full force can take a toll on all aspects of your life, including your job, personal life, relationship, social activities, daily responsibilities, and quality of life. Burnout is a bit different in that it really only affects the area that is causing the stress. If work is causing the burnout, those feelings will probably only interfere with work.
The Timeline
Depression can have a sudden onset, triggered by a number of different variables. In order for symptoms to be officially considered depression, they need to be present for at least two weeks, at least for a diagnosis. Left untreated, depression can continue for an unlimited amount of time.
With burnout, it stems from a buildup of stress. Once burnout hits, it can continue on as long as the situation remains unchanged. If it’s from your job, as long as you’re in the same role or dealing with the same dynamics, it’s unlikely for those feelings to subside.
Finding Recovery
Burnout is a little easier to cure in the larger picture because once you remove that specific stressor, your symptoms should resolve. With depression, it can be harder to manage with little adjustments.
Generally, depression requires some type of professional assistance to relieve symptoms. Therapy for either of these conditions can help establish coping strategies and improve your overall quality of life.
If you’d like to learn more about depression counseling or intervention for burnout, we’re here to help. Contact our office today.