By Alanna Hilbink
Sometimes work and everyday life seem exceptionally exhausting, overwhelming, or unmotivating. What should you do when it all seems too much? It can be easy to wonder, Am I burnt out or depressed?
A great first step is taking a look at the definitions, signs, and symptoms of burnout and depression listed below. And then consider reaching out to a mental healthcare provider such as The Meadows Texas for a compassionate evaluation and personalized plan for moving forward.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is often dismissed or minimized, but it is a real occupational phenomenon that is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which identifies the following as signs of burnout:
- Being exhausted or lacking in energy
- Feeling negative or cynical about your job
- Feeling mentally distant from your job
- Not doing your job as well as you used to
Burnout has an effect on your health and happiness. And when you feel burned out at your job, you aren’t doing your best work either. If you struggle to find satisfaction or energy at work, or feel like your work is impacting your life even when you’re not on the clock, you aren’t alone.
If you struggle to find satisfaction or energy at work, or feel like your work is impacting your life even when you’re not on the clock, you aren’t alone.
Some jobs come with greater burnout rates than others. For example, the WHO reported burnout among health and care workers during the pandemic ranged from 41-52%. And while jobs like those in healthcare come with a higher likelihood of burnout, any job can lead to these feelings.
So what causes burnout? Some factors that contribute to burnout include the following:
- Low or no flexibility or control over your schedule
- High amounts of screen time or unsatisfying administrative work
- A job that conflicts with your values
- Increased work hours
- No work-life balance
- High job demands
- Poor leadership
- Poor coworker relationships
- Job insecurity
And if these factors aren’t addressed, burnout can easily contribute to depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation, according to StatPearls’ findings, shared in the National Library of Medicine. Burnout is never something you should ignore, whether it’s you, a coworker, or a loved one who is struggling.
Signs of Burnout Vs. Depression
If you know you are feeling generally dissatisfied or unhappy, is it safe to assume it’s definitely burnout? Or is it something more? Working and living with depression isn’t unusual. The WHO shares that worldwide anxiety and depression levels have risen 25% over the course of the pandemic and beyond. Since depression and burnout are both so common, it’s important to identify signs of depression versus burnout.
Depression involves the same major characteristics as burnout: exhaustion, low mood, and reduced or poor performance. But these will reflect how you are feeling in all areas of life, not just at work. Depression can also involve symptoms such as:
- Low self-esteem
- Hopelessness
- Guilt
- Trouble concentrating
- Physical pain
- Changes in sleep patterns
It’s also important to look at the causes of depression. Yes, your job can certainly contribute to depression, but depression is as biological as it is external. It is related to your genetics and how your brain regulates mood. This is why it’s so important to correctly identify depression versus burnout; how we treat the two is vastly different.
What Should I Do About Burnout or Depression?
Whether you are currently facing burnout or depression, it’s vitally important to take steps to improve your situation. Untreated depression has serious consequences for your health and life. And as mentioned earlier, unaddressed burnout can lead to depression and more. Your burnout can put coworkers or clients at risk, depending on your job, and it can impact your career or even your employment status.
If you’re feeling burnt out, The New York Times shares a few steps you can take to improve your mental state. The most drastic is a complete career change. Unfortunately, this isn’t a feasible option for everyone, but if your job makes you deeply unhappy or unsatisfied and has been doing so for a long time, it’s worth considering.
Your burnout can put coworkers or clients at risk, depending on your job, and it can impact your career or even your employment status.
However, before making any huge changes, smaller ones may help. If you’re able, take a week or at least a day off for mental health to help you refresh and reset. When you’re home, turn off notifications from work. In fact, make some time to turn off your phone and screens entirely, especially if you have a computer-facing job. Taking a few quiet moments to yourself can help you decompress after work.
However, if you’re unsure if you’re burnt out or depressed, talk with a professional before trying self-help steps for burnout. Depression is not the same thing as burnout, and it requires psychological treatment and often medication. And even if it’s “only” burnout you’re experiencing, it may still be more than you can handle on your own, and meeting with a mental healthcare professional is never a bad idea.
Am I Burnt Out or Depressed?
If you’re wondering if you’re experiencing burnout or depression, a professional assessment is a powerful tool in better understanding your own mental health. Diagnosing depression versus burnout means getting the specific support you or a loved one needs. Reach out to our caring team at The Meadows Texas today, and learn how you can start moving forward at home and at work.