There are times when it seems there is a misunderstanding about burnout symptoms being the same as depression symptoms. Burnout can develop from a longtime exposure to stress, overwhelming responsibilities, heavy workloads, lack of empathy or compromise from others, lack of self-care, and consistent people pleasing. Some burnout symptoms consist of irritability, anxiety, exhaustion, struggles with completing tasks, struggles with socializing, and lack of empathy for others. When an individual consistently experiences emotional or verbal dysfunction from him/herself or others causing burnout it can assist with the development of a depression diagnosis.
The disappointing truth is that when individuals are experiencing burnout symptoms others are quick to state the individual is depressed. Some depression symptoms consist of a lack of interest, lack of motivation, hopelessness, consistent negative talk about any subject matter, isolation, loss of appetite, and suicidal ideation or thoughts. It is not uncommon for management at a workplace to label an employee as being “depressed” when the individual may be experiencing burnout symptoms. Maybe the management feels it is best to give the employee the label of being depressed so the Human resource department can refer the employee to the Employee Health Services.
If the management decided the employee suffers from burnout would that be a complex situation to resolve? There have been tons of employees sent to Human Resources for “depression” who have provided his/her perspective of burnout being the reason for the depression with no open-minded solution provided of reviewing the employee statement and having a mediation with other employees or management for a positive solution. This post is not dismissing that an individual can be depressed in a personal and professional pursuit. It is to clarify that burnout and depression are NOT one in the same the development of depression can be a direct result of burnout!
Voices of Burnout (VOB) 