Is It Burnout, or Something More?
03 of 07Not everything is “just stress”.
Burnout shares a lot with other experiences. That’s part of why it can be hard to recognise, and why it’s worth looking a little deeper.
Burnout and depression
Burnout and depression share many features: exhaustion, loss of interest, trouble concentrating, feeling flat. Research shows they are closely linked, though most researchers consider them different experiences [3].
One way to think about it: burnout is often tied to a particular part of your life, and may lift when that part changes. Depression tends to spread across everything, including the things you used to love. But they can also overlap, and burnout left unaddressed can lead into depression.
If you feel hopeless, can’t enjoy anything, or are having thoughts of not wanting to be here, please don’t wait. Go to Need help now, and explore our Depression page.
Burnout and anxiety
Burnout and anxiety are also closely linked [3]. Living in a constant state of pressure keeps the body’s stress system switched on, which can show up as worry, a racing mind and trouble switching off.
Burnout and your physical health
Exhaustion can have physical causes too. Thyroid problems, low iron, sleep disorders, hormonal changes such as perimenopause and other health conditions can all leave you feeling depleted. If you’re constantly exhausted, it’s worth seeing your GP for a proper check, so nothing important gets missed.
And the reverse is true too. Living with chronic stress for a long time can take a toll on your body: your sleep, your digestion, your immune system and more.
What burnout can do to your body
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does recovery. When your stress system has been running on high for months or years, it can take a real toll: on your sleep, your gut, your immune system, your heart and your energy. Research links long-term burnout to physical health problems, and some people still feel its effects years later [4][5].
You may have heard the term “adrenal fatigue”. It isn’t a recognised medical diagnosis, and research hasn’t found evidence that the adrenal glands “run out” [6]. But the exhaustion people describe is very real, and your body may need a long time to recover.
Some people find a naturopath helpful for supporting their body through recovery, with nutrition, herbs and supplements. If you take any, tell your GP and pharmacist, as some can interact with medicines. Your naturopath or your GP can also check for common physical causes of exhaustion with standard blood tests.
