Burntout or Depressed: How to tell the difference
Feeling emotionally drained, detached, or unmotivated can leave you wondering: Is this burnout or depression?
The two share many signs, but they aren’t the same. Both are real, serious experiences that affect how we feel and function day to day. Understanding how they overlap and how they differ can help you figure out what kind of support might help you recover.
At Ardelle Psychology, we often meet professionals, students, and caregivers who say, “I think I’m just burnt out.” Sometimes that’s true. Other times, what started as burnout has quietly deepened into depression. The difference isn’t always easy to see, especially when life feels like one long stretch of survival mode.
Similarities between burnout and depression
Research shows that burnout and depression are related. They can happen together and can look very similar. Both can make you feel exhausted, foggy, and disconnected from your usual self.
On a biological level, they even affect the body in similar ways. Studies have found that the stress systems in people with burnout behave much like those in people with depression. When your body stays in “fight-or-flight” mode for too long, it struggles to rest, recharge, or feel joy.
This overlap also means that burnout can increase the risk of developing depression. If exhaustion and stress continue without recovery, the brain can begin to lose its ability to feel pleasure or motivation. Over time, hopelessness and emptiness take the place of frustration or tiredness.
In short, burnout and depression share a lot of common ground and it’s possible to have both at once.
Differences between burnout and depression
While burnout and depression can feel similar, one major difference is where and when the symptoms appear.
Burnout usually comes from chronic stress related to work or study. You might feel drained, cynical, or emotionally detached from your job, yet still find enjoyment in personal life. A holiday or change of pace can temporarily lift your mood. This a sign that your mind and body are responding to rest.
Depression, however, tends to be widespread and persistent. The heaviness doesn’t go away on weekends or during breaks. It seeps into everything; work, relationships, hobbies, even simple pleasures. You might notice a deep loss of interest or joy (what psychologists call anhedonia), along with feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness that aren’t tied to one situation.
In short:
Burnout says, “I can’t do this job anymore.”
Depression says, “I can’t do anything anymore.”
That shift from situational fatigue to all-encompassing hopelessness is the key difference — and it’s why getting help early matters.
What links burnout and depression?
Research has found that emotional exhaustion — the core of burnout — is often the “bridge” that connects burnout to depression. Emotional exhaustion means more than just being tired; it’s when you feel emotionally spent, detached, or numb.
When exhaustion continues long enough, it can pull other symptoms into the picture: anxiety, irritability, and eventually, low mood and loss of motivation. This is often when burnout turns into depression. Recognising that “bridge” moment early can prevent things from deepening into something harder to recover from.
Why Some People Are More Vulnerable
Anyone can experience burnout or depression, but certain factors make people more at risk.
Burnout often develops when there’s a mismatch between what a job demands and the support or control someone has. Working long hours without rest, taking on constant responsibility, or feeling unappreciated can slowly drain emotional resources.
People in high-pressure roles (e.g., healthcare, law, education, finance, or caregiving) are especially vulnerable. These jobs demand both emotional and cognitive labour, often with little time to recover.
Perfectionism is another major risk factor. Many high achievers hold themselves to impossible standards, equating their worth with performance. Over time, that mindset turns stress into self-criticism and exhaustion evolves into despair. Studies show that perfectionism is linked to both burnout and depression, and can even increase suicidal thoughts when left unchecked.
When does burnout develop into depression?
The transition from burnout to depression doesn’t happen overnight. It begins when the body’s exhaustion merges with hopelessness. Below are four warning signs:
Feeling like rest no longer helps
Starting to withdraw from others
Feeling emotionally flat overall; not just tired of work, but tired of everything.
Having thoughts like “What’s the point?” or “I’ll never catch up” become more frequent.
Long-term studies show that people with severe burnout are twice as likely to develop depression within six months.
That’s why recognising the signs early is so important and why reaching out for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a way to protect your mental health before things worsen.
How Therapy Can Help
The good news is that both burnout and depression respond well to therapy.
At Ardelle Psychology, we use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Schema Therapy to help clients recover and rebuild balance.
CBT helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, so you can challenge the inner critic and shift unhelpful patterns.
ACT helps you make space for difficult emotions and reconnect with what matters most, even when life feels heavy.
Schema Therapy explores long-standing beliefs (e.g., “I must be perfect to be worthy”, “If I make a mistake I will get fired”) that keep people stuck in burnout or depression cycles.
Therapy isn’t just about coping. It’s about retraining the mind and body to feel safe again, so you can rest, recharge, and rediscover motivation naturally.
Gentle Ways to Begin Healing
If you’re in the early stages of burnout or mild depression, small shifts can make a big difference.
Start by noticing small, positive moments. This is what we also know as “glimmers.” These are moments when your body feels even slightly safe or soothed. It can be little moments of noticing the morning light, listening to your a favourite song, or having a genuine laugh. They help calm the nervous system and remind it what peace feels like.
Try to protect time for recovery too. Having regular meals, consistent sleep, and restful moments away from work. Healing from burnout isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about learning how to rest and meet the demands. .
If your fatigue or sadness persists, or if joy feels completely out of reach, consider reaching out for support. Therapy can help you unpack what’s happening and guide you toward sustainable burnout recovery or depression intervention tailored to your situation.
When to Seek Help
If you’ve tried resting and still feel empty, unmotivated, or disconnected from things you used to care about, you don’t have to face it alone. Early support can prevent deeper depression and help you recover faster.
👉 Book a free 30 minutes Discovery Call to speak with our psychologist in Singapore or Australia about burnout, workplace stress, or depression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are burnout and depression the same thing?
They share many symptoms like fatigue, poor concentration, and low motivation. However, they are. not the same. Burnout is usually caused by chronic work or academic stress, while depression affects all areas of life, even outside work. Burnout can improve with rest and boundaries, but depression often requires professional therapy or counselling.
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Can burnout turn into depression?
Yes. Research shows that emotional exhaustion — the central feature of burnout — can lead to depression if stress continues without relief. People experiencing severe burnout are about twice as likely to develop depression within six months. Seeking help early through burnout recovery therapy or CBT in Singapore can prevent this from happening.
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How is burnout treated?
Treatment for burnout focuses on rebalancing your life. At Ardelle Psychology, we use therapies like CBT, ACT, and Schema Therapy to help clients set boundaries, manage perfectionism, and reconnect with purpose. When burnout overlaps with depression, therapy helps regulate mood, rebuild self-worth, and restore energy.
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