Are you feeling sluggish, fatigued, unmotivated, and maybe even sad and hopeless? That might sound like the beginning of an advertisement for some miracle solution, but before we get into any strategies to help those symptoms, it’s important to understand why they’re present.
Depression and burnout share several symptoms. As such, they can be difficult to distinguish. The problem with that comes in the treatment and management. If you aren’t properly diagnosed, you could end up going through a treatment plan that doesn’t actually meet your needs.
So, what are the key differences between depression and burnout?
Understanding the Cause
One of the most effective ways to know whether you’re dealing with depression or burnout is to consider the cause. Depression can stem from a variety of causes. Burnout, on the other hand, tends to occur when you’re in a stressful situation. It’s typically related to high-stress careers.
However, you can also experience burnout if you’re doing something like working and going to school at the same time, or you’re caring for an elderly parent or sick family member.
Understanding the Symptoms
Again, some of the symptoms of depression and burnout overlap. Both can cause fatigue and make you feel less motivated.
However, burnout also usually causes emotional exhaustion and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. You might even start to resent whatever it is that is causing you so much stress and fatigue.
Depression, on the other hand, typically fosters a sense of hopelessness. It’s often characterized by extreme sadness, withdrawing from people and things you love, and struggling with low self-esteem and helplessness.
It’s mostly the physical symptoms of burnout that can look like depression. In addition to fatigue, you might also experience sleep problems with both issues, or changes in your eating habits. They can also cause aches and pains and even contribute to digestive issues from stress.
Can You Have Burnout and Depression?
You can absolutely deal with burnout and depression at the same time. One doesn’t necessarily cause the other. But, stress from work or other activities can very easily bleed over into other areas of your life, boosting that sense of hopelessness that comes with depression.
That doesn’t mean there’s a blanket treatment for both issues. However, there are things you can do to make either burnout or depression easier to manage on a daily basis.
Start by setting boundaries. If you believe you’re dealing with burnout from work or another stressful situation, put limits on what you’re willing to do. Healthy boundaries protect your well-being and let people know exactly what to expect from you.
When you’re dealing with either issue, prioritize self-care. Things like adopting a sleep routine, eating healthy foods, and exercising are all simple and effective ways to boost your mental well-being. Journaling, mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can also improve your mental health by allowing you to be more grounded and in the present.
Dealing with Depression
If you’re concerned that you have depression instead of burnout, all of the self-care practices listed above can help. But, getting to the root of the issue is the best way to beat it.
Thankfully, you don’t have to carry that weight on your shoulders alone.
Depression counseling is often the best way to fight back against depression. A therapist will help you get to the root cause, so you can start taking healthy steps forward on your healing journey. Along the way, you’ll learn symptom management techniques so you can start to find peace and let go of the extreme sadness that’s been taking hold of your life.
Don’t wait to contact me to set up an appointment soon.