Burnout vs depression: How to tell the difference?

It’s normal to have some days that feel heavier than others. But when you're no longer bouncing back like you used to, and no amount of sleep or rest seems to help, it’s hard to tell whether it’s burnout building up, or depression taking hold in a more serious way.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the signs of burnout and depression, how they overlap, and how they differ, so you can better understand what’s going on and what steps might help you start feeling better.

Quick glance: Burnout vs depression 

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison to help clarify the differences between burnout and depression: 

In the next sections, we’ll take a closer look at what burnout and depression look like, so you can better understand what you might be experiencing.

So, what exactly is burnout?

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion that builds up over time. Burnout feels like being extremely drained and unable to bounce back when work or lifestyle stress becomes so constant and overwhelming.

While burnout is very real and deeply felt, it’s not officially recognised as a medical condition. Instead, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies burnout as an "occupational phenomenon" that results from chronic stress that hasn’t been managed well. 

But that said, chronic burnout doesn’t just affect people in traditional workplaces. It can happen to anyone, especially if you’re juggling a demanding mix of responsibilities at work or home without enough rest or support. This is also true for mothers who are facing depleted mother syndrome, which is a form of burnout from constantly caring for others. 

Some obvious mental burnout symptoms include: 

• Cynicism, depersonalisation, or becoming detached from your job or responsibilities

• Reduced performance and decreased productivity, even in tasks you once handled easily

• Emotional burnout symptoms like feeling constantly drained, tired, or overwhelmed

• Feeling unmotivated and anxious about going to work

• Increased irritability towards coworkers or loved onesl

But there are also some less-obvious signs of burnout that can be harder to recognise as they often build up slowly or get mistaken for everyday stress or personality changes. These include:

• Procrastination, like avoiding tasks more than usual due to mental fatigue

• Physical symptoms of burnout like headaches, stomach issues, or sleep disturbances not linked to a physical illness

• Losing your creative spark

• Blunted emotions about things you used to care about

• Withdrawal from coworkers or social activities

What is depression?

Depressive disorder, or depression, is a clinically recognised mental health condition defined in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). It involves persistent sadness and loss of interest in most things in your life that lasts for most of the day. These feelings occur almost daily, and they usually stick for at least two weeks.

Depression can show up in different forms depending on the person and their circumstances. For example, seasonal affective Disorder (SAD) tends to appear during the darker winter months, while atypical depression may involve mood that lifts in response to positive events. Another example is postpartum depression, which is a serious and longer-lasting form of depression that can affect women after giving birth.

Regardless of the type, depression often shares some core symptoms that can significantly affect daily life. Some of the more common and recognisable signs include:

• Feeling down and emptiness, or generally low mood for two weeks or more

• Anhedonia or loss of interest or pleasure in things you once enjoyed

• Changes in appetite or weight 

• Sleep disturbances like insomnia or hypersomnia

• Feeling dumb, slow, or useless

Depression, however, doesn’t always look the same in everyone. For example, depression in men is often overlooked due to social stigma and less visible symptoms. Breaking the silence around these varied experiences can help reduce shame and encourage more people to seek the support they need.

These are some subtle signs that don’t always match the typical image of depression:

• Physical aches and pains without a clear medical cause

• Trouble making decisions or concentrating on tasks.

• Slowed thinking or movement and feeling like you're mentally or physically stuck.

• Feeling needy or, conversely, isolating to avoid shame.

• Temporary boost or uplift in your mood every time there’s a positive event (often seen in atypical depression)

Do I have both burnout and depression?

In some cases, a person may experience burnout and depression at once. You may be dealing with both if:

• You’re emotionally exhausted 

• You feel sad or hopeless most of the time

• You’ve lost interest not just in work, but in personal hobbies, relationships, or everyday life

• Your sleep, appetite, or energy levels are noticeably off

• You’re feeling irritable and overwhelmed, but also flat, numb, or worthless

• You’re experiencing physical symptoms (like headaches or stomach issues) alongside emotional ones

• You’ve had thoughts of not wanting to be here or feel like you can’t cope anymore

Given this overlap, it's crucial to seek professional advice from a psychologist for depression or a therapist for burnout. Misdiagnosing depression as burnout can lead to the wrong kind of support and delay proper treatment.

How can I start feeling better?

If you're experiencing stress or burnout, the first step is to reduce the sources that are causing you to feel that way. This might mean setting boundaries at work or taking a stress leave. Rest helps, but lasting recovery usually requires deeper changes, like seeking support through therapy.

If depression is part of the picture, treatment may need to go deeper. Evidence-based therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) have strong track records for improving mood, motivation, and functioning.

In case you’re wondering about the cost of mental health therapy in Australia, therapists usually charge around $90-$350 per session. With a Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare rebates can reduce your out-of-pocket cost to around $80-$100, or even less with bulk billing. Support is available, and often more affordable than you think.

Final thoughts

Burnout and depression can quietly wear down your energy, motivation, and sense of self, often making everyday life feel overwhelming or numb. Recognising the difference between them is a start, but healing comes from taking action. Embracing vulnerability and acknowledging that you may need support is a powerful first step.

One of the most meaningful benefits of seeing a psychologist is having a safe, non-judgmental space to explore what you're going through. Whether it’s compassion fatigue or burnout, or something deeper like depression, therapy can help you manage emotional overwhelm, rebuild your sense of balance, and take back control of your mental health.