Burnout is an occupational phenomenon from chronic, unmanaged workplace stress, per the WHO - tied to the job and eased when the job changes. Depression is a medical condition that follows you everywhere.
The practical test: does a real break or role change restore you? Restoring points to burnout; nothing touching the emptiness points to depression, which deserves an evaluation and is very treatable. The two overlap - long burnout erodes into depression, and depression makes any job impossible.
What to do
Common questions
What is burnout vs depression?
The cleanest distinction is scope and source. Burnout, as the WHO classifies it in ICD-11, is an occupational phenomenon - not a medical condition - resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed: exhaustion, mental distance or cynicism about the job, and reduced professional effectiveness. It is anchored to work, and it eases when the work situation changes. Depression is a medical illness that follows you everywhere: persistent low mood or loss of interest plus sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, or self-worth changes, for at least two weeks, across every domain of life, weekends and relationships included. The two overlap and feed each other: long burnout erodes into genuine depression, and depression makes any job feel impossible. The practical test: does a real break, a role change, or time away restore you? Restoring points to burnout; nothing touching the emptiness points to depression and deserves an evaluation. Depression is very treatable, and if you are struggling, call or text 988 in the US, or your local crisis line. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you sort which pattern fits.