Depression or Burnout? How Are They Different?

Burnout is an occupational phenomenon linked to chronic workplace stress, exhaustion, detachment from work and reduced effectiveness. Depression is a mental health condition that need not be limited to work.

Symptoms, causes and key details

Depression may involve loss of pleasure, low mood across settings, sleep and appetite changes and hopelessness. Both can coexist; an online quiz cannot reliably distinguish them.

Assessment and practical next steps

Notice whether symptoms persist outside work, their duration and impact. Assessment may combine mental health care, changes in workload and social support.

When is urgent help needed?

Suicidal thoughts, severe inability to care for oneself or rapid deterioration require urgent help.

Frequently asked question

Does feeling better on holiday exclude depression?

No, a single pattern cannot settle the diagnosis.

This article provides general information, not a personal diagnosis or treatment.

Trusted information source: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/mental-health-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon