Differences Between Burnout & Depression

Both burnout and depression can make you feel broken.

The main difference between burnout and depression is time. Burnout can come at predictable times, but depression does not. Burnout is a colloquial and psychological term, while depression refers to several physical conditions.

Identification

Burnout is when a person feels exhausted after a long stretch of productivity while under stress. Depression is a mental illness of uncertain origin, but genetics and environment might play major roles.

Time Frame

Burnout tends to last for a limited span of time, often sparked by a long time at a stressful job. The Mayo Clinic reports that minor depression might last only a short time, but other types of depression are for life.

Identification

According to "Job Burnout" (Christina Maslach, et al; Annual Review of Psychology; February 2001), burnout is identified by "exhaustion, cynicism and inefficiency." Depression often leaves people hopeless, disinterested in life and suffering from chronic body aches.

Prevention

There is no way known to prevent depression. It is currently unknown how to prevent burnout, but Rutgers University suggests that employers and employees need to communicate frequently and assume nothing.

Recognition

The "bible" of mental disorders is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV.) It lists depression but not burnout.

References

• "Job Burnout" (Christina Maslach, et al; Annual Review of Psychology; February 2001)
• Rutgers University: Preventing Employee Burnout
• Baltimore Sun: Burnout and Depression Make Surgeons More Prone to Mistakes

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Depression: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
• Recognizing Depression and Getting Help
• DSM-IV Diagnosis: Major Depressive Episode