Stress vs. Burnout and Depression

Feeling stressed is like a bright yellow warning sign. It cautions you to slow down, reflect and re-chart your course. Stress often causes difficulty sleeping resulting in fatigue and lessening of your coping skills. Stress can result in Burnout and Depression if it goes unchecked.

Symptoms of Stress Include:

Frequent or sustained feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry or frustration
Changes in appetite, energy, desires and interests
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Difficulty sleeping and/or nightmares
Physical symptoms such as headaches, pain, stomach problems and skin rashes
Worsening of chronic health problems
Increased use of tobacco, alcohol and other substances

We typically think of Burnout as related to work stress. More recently it has been defined as "a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive or prolonged stress." It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained and unable to meet constant demands. COVID is a perfect storm for Burnout with a reduction in the work force and people working from home while simultaneously caring for a family and trying to maintain a healthy marriage.

Signs and Symptoms of Burnout Include:

Sense of failure and self-doubt
Feeling helpless, trapped and seeing yourself as defeated
Loss of motivation
Increasingly cynical, negative outlook and a need to distance yourself
Decreased creativity, satisfaction and sense of accomplishment
Exhaustion, emptiness and inability to cope with everyday life
Personality traits such as perfectionism and pessimism can contribute to burnout

The symptoms of Burnout and Depression are similar. Depression can also cause:

Chronic low self-esteem
Lack of self-care and self-motivation
Feeling hopeless
Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm

If you are exhibiting symptoms of depression or burnout for a prolonged period of time, be sure to speak with your doctor or seek help from a local clinic or from national hotlines listed below:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-622-HELP (- 4357)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (- 8255)

Crisis Text Line: Text 741741

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