Is there a link between burn-out and depression?

Burn-out is generally seen as a specific problem related to stress in the workplace whereas depression is a broader phenomenon that can permeate all areas of one’s life. But can we really separate the two terms entirely? In fact, burn-out and depression are closely related.

In theory we can see burn-out distinctly. Anyone can burn-out if we continue to ratchet up the demands on their lives without giving them the means to meet those demands. In such cases, the person will quickly return to normal if removed from this situation.

The same can be true for depression. It may have nothing to do with work or stress. A major depression will often persist regardless of whether the individual remains at work or stays home.

In most real cases, though, the lines cannot be so easily drawn. As an example, let’s take the case of a person with a strong sense of responsibility and a tendency to be a perfectionist. Such people will tend to do their jobs well since they feel bad when they see shoddy or incomplete work. As a result, they take on many tasks and deliver the goods. Employers and colleagues begin to rely on them more and more. If they then reach a point where they must take time off work, they may feel like they have let everyone down. They may even feel depressed and feel like a failure.

Now, if we see these personality traits in the workplace, we would also see them in many other circumstances. These people would have a tendency to feel like failures when their kids are having trouble in school or when they may be going through a divorce, for example.

The relationship between depression and burn-out is also evident in cases which we would normally describe as a major depression. People suffering from a major depression will feel agitated, fatigued and have trouble concentrating. They feel no satisfaction or pleasure even when a task is accomplished successfully. It is not hard to imagine that their productivity will suffer. Even simple tasks become heavy burdens. In such cases, work-related pressures often become the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back. Work per se is not the problem but it becomes a contributing factor to depression. The inability to function at work then contributes to the depressed person’s sense of failure and guilt.

Does it matter if it is depression or burn-out?

Although for many people the term burn-out may carry less stigma than depression, the label used is probably less important than the desire to get their lives back on track.

The role of the psychologist or psychiatrist remains the same regardless of whether the person consults for the treatment of depression or burn-out. The professional must assess the factors that contribute to the problem in order to be able to address them. External factors can include specific situations or general circumstances. Internal factors can include both biology and personality. If an inability to set limits and an overly strong sense of personal responsibility contributes to excessive stress at work or to unmanageable burdens in our personal lives, this inability must still be addressed in treatment.