Are You Depressed or Just Burned Out?

People with depression might struggle with sleep, feel worthless, or lose interest in almost everything.

Feeling exhausted, unmotivated, and unable to focus? In today’s fast-paced world, many of us feel drained — but is it burnout, or is it something more?

It’s easy to confuse the two, but understanding the difference is important for finding the right support and solutions.

Burnout often happens when we push ourselves too hard at work, school, or in our daily lives.

It’s a response to prolonged stress and can make us feel tired, detached, and frustrated. You might notice that things you used to enjoy, like hobbies or social activities, don’t feel as rewarding.

Burnout is usually tied to specific areas, like your job, and while it drains your energy, taking a break or a vacation can help ease the symptoms.

Depression, however, is more complex. It’s not just about feeling tired or stressed — it’s a mental health condition that affects how we think, feel, and see the world.

Depression can cause deep sadness, loss of motivation, and a feeling of emptiness that doesn’t go away even with rest.

People with depression might struggle with sleep, feel worthless, or lose interest in almost everything.

Unlike burnout, depression isn’t limited to one area of life and often affects every part, from work to relationships.

One way to tell the difference is to ask yourself, “Do I feel better after time off?” If a break helps, it’s more likely to be burnout.

If nothing seems to lift your mood, depression could be the cause. Both burnout and depression are serious and deserve attention, but the approaches to recovery differ.

Burnout often responds to lifestyle changes, like setting boundaries or reducing workload.

Depression may require therapy, medication, or more structured mental health support.