Have you been struggling with exhaustion and a lack of desire to do daily tasks? Do you find yourself overwhelmed and perhaps hopeless? You might be experiencing burnout, but it could be something more.
It can be difficult to know if you’re experiencing burnout or major depression because they both can cause:
- Fatigue (feeling physical and/or emotionally drained)
- Loss of motivation
- Lack of interest in things once enjoyed
- Difficulty thinking and concentrating
- Hopelessness
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and activities
- Physical symptoms (headaches, digestive troubles, muscle or joint pain, and more)
- Neurochemical/hormonal changes in the brain and body
Depression, though, goes deeper and is more serious. In addition to the above symptoms, depression can cause:
- A sense of worthlessness
- Excessive feelings of guilt
- Significant weight changes
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or hardly at all)
- Thoughts or death or suicide, with or without a plan
Burnout is typically caused by stress. While depression can be linked to stress, its causes can also be genetic. Sometimes, the cause of depression is unknown. Burnout tends to be shorter lived, improving once the stressor is addressed. Depression can disrupt life for weeks, months, or even years if left untreated. The good news is that both burnout and major depression can be treated. Working with a therapist can be beneficial for both