Burnout is not as same as depression or tiredness, say experts

Getting tired after a long day at work is a common phenomenon. The moment a person steps away to rest or recover, tiredness almost vanishes.

However, many people confuse tiredness with burnout, with experts saying the two are not the same.

The American Psychological Association describes burnout as a physical, emotional and mental exhaustion, which comes with decreased motivation and a negative perception towards oneself and another.

It is not classified as a disease, however, it can cause significant psychological distress and doesn’t go away with a good night's sleep.

While the term is strictly associated with prolonged stress in a workplace, it can happen in any aspect of a person’s life. For instance, caregivers looking after chronically ill or terminally ill family members can develop caregiver burnout.

Prolonged, unmanaged stress

A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that the amygdala (part of the brain) becomes hyperactive in burnout, causing the person to have difficulty in managing emotions even when the stressor is removed from the sight.

As per WHO, prolonged, unmanaged stress can cause a burnout or a mental breakdown, in many cases the person losing their sense of purpose or self.

This explains why a short break from the stressful situation cannot ease the symptoms of a burnout. It can take days to months to come out of it.

Some experts say burnout happens when prolonged stress alters how the brain functions, causing changes in perception and motivation and leading to more interpersonal and external conflicts.

While a human mind can navigate stressful situations for short periods of time, it flares up when the stress gets prolonged. 

What happens in a burnout

A burnout can easily mimic tiredness or depression, however, it is different from both. Unlike depression, a burnout is specifically tied to one stressful situation or environment. It will eventually pass away once a person recuperates enough. However, it is not just purely physical or mental as tiredness.

Depression, on the other hand, is a broader mental health problem, evading all aspects of a person’s life and is accompanied by a perpetual sadness with no clear trigger.

The following are some key characteristics of a burnout:

• Energy depletion and exhaustion

• Increased mental distance from the task

• Negative feelings or cynicism towards the task or job.

•  Physical symptoms and gastrointestinal problems

• Decreased empathy for oneself and others

• Irritability at work

• Insomnia

• Dietary changes

• Tension headaches.

As per experts, people with high internal pressure or perfectionism are more likely to develop burnout syndrome.