What are the signs of burnout?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
The WHO's three dimensions: exhaustion that rest does not fix, mental distance or cynicism about your job, and reduced effectiveness at it - all from chronic workplace stress left unmanaged. In practice: dreading work constantly, running on empty despite sleep, snapping at colleagues, numbness about work you used to care about, output and confidence sliding together. Two clarifications: burnout is occupational, not a medical diagnosis, and it overlaps with depression - the tell is scope: burnout lifts away from work, while depression colors everything for weeks and needs clinical care. Recovery is structural: reduce the load, take real time off, restore sleep, fix the specific stressor. If you feel hopeless or are having thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988 (US) or your local crisis line. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you sort burnout from depression.
What to do
- Check the three signs: exhaustion, cynicism, sliding effectiveness.
- Test the scope: fine on holiday, dreading only work = burnout; low everywhere = get assessed for depression.
- Change the structure, not the coping: workload, boundaries, time off.
- Crisis line for hopelessness: 988 (US) or your local crisis line.
Related questions
- What are the signs of depression?
- Can an online doctor help with depression?
- Why am I always tired?
- Can an online doctor help with anxiety?