When you are constantly fatigued, you don’t have the interest and energy to do your favourite activities anymore, work feels like punishment and your head aches every time you try to think, it is obvious that you need a rest.
However, if you are looking for a diagnosis, you might jump around the two possible terms which are burnout and depression. People often mistake one for the other because their symptoms are often similar.
According to Medical News Today, depression impacts every aspect of life, whereas burnout symptoms are usually related to work. “Both burnout and depression can negatively impact a person’s mental well-being and share similar symptoms, but they are not the same.”
Here is how you can distinguish whether you are depressed or burnt out:
Burnout
Choosing Therapy explains that burnout is a chronic state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion, often experienced at work, resulting from long-term stress exposure, leading to mental health issues and decreased life satisfaction. “Many report feeling emotionally drained and a general lack of motivation. When untreated, burnout can contribute to worsening mental health symptoms, physical illness, and a decline in life satisfaction.”
The publication defined signs of burnout that can be spotted, they include:
Apathy:
- Emotional detachedness and indifference towards work, relationships, or activities.
- Lack of motivation and struggle to find purpose in daily responsibilities.
Poor Work or School Performance:
- Difficulty concentrating leads to frequent mistakes, missed deadlines, and decreased productivity.
- Frustration and disappointment, further contribute to the burnout cycle.
Constant Fatigue:
- Feeling drained despite adequate rest.
- Physical signs include headaches, muscle tension, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
Social Withdrawal:
- Isolation from social interactions leads to feelings of loneliness and exacerbated burnout.
Depression
According to Psych Central, depression is a widespread mental health issue affecting around 280 million people worldwide. It is said to involve feelings of hopelessness, weightlessness, and loss of enjoyment in activities that once brought joy. “Depression symptoms take many forms, and no two people’s experiences are exactly alike. A person with depression may not always seem sad to others. And when friends or family do notice signs of depression, they may want to help but not know how.”
The different types of depression as stated by the above publication include:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Symptoms include loss of pleasure in activities, depressed mood lasting at least two weeks, and irritability in children and teens.
Postpartum Depression
- Symptoms can occur in individuals who have just given birth or those who haven’t.
- Can begin in the first month after giving birth or during pregnancy.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
- A subtype of depression triggered by seasonal changes.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
- A form of depression lasting for at least two years.
Bipolar Disorder Depression
- “Some forms of bipolar disorder involve depressive episodes. Sometimes depressive episodes alternate with episodes of mania or hypomania.”
Also see: How to bounce back from depression
