Burnout isn’t just tiredness. In ICD-11, the World Health Organization describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon (not a medical condition) that can show up after chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. It’s described through three features: (1) exhaustion, (2) mental distance/cynicism, and (3) reduced professional efficacy.

What burnout can look like (real-world patterns)

• You’re still “getting things done,” but it feels like pure willpower

• You notice detachment (caring less, feeling numb, or “checking out”)

• You’re more irritable, forgetful, or making uncharacteristic errors

• Even after rest, you don’t feel restored — you feel depleted

• Your capacity shrinks: tasks that used to be fine now feel heavy

Burnout vs stress vs depression (specific differences)

They can overlap. These are practical clues (not a diagnosis):

Stress (often short-term; “revved up”)

• You feel wired, tense, rushed; thoughts are noisy

• You can still feel enjoyment/connection at times

• When the stressor reduces, your symptoms often ease

Burnout (work-linked; “running out”)

• Exhaustion + cynicism/mental distance specifically about work

• “What’s the point?” shows up in the work context

• Time off can help a bit, but symptoms often return quickly when you re-enter the same conditions

Depression (often broader; “life-wide”)

• Low mood and/or loss of interest/pleasure across areas of life

• Hopelessness/self-worth beliefs can be pervasive

• Symptoms don’t reliably lift when you step away from work

Important nuance: research is mixed on how distinct burnout is from depression. A systematic review/meta-analysis found burnout relates strongly to depression and anxiety, and other work debates whether burnout is separate or a depressive condition.

What tends to drive burnout

Burnout is often a system + coping style interaction:

• high demands + low control

• unclear expectations + constant urgency

• emotional labour without recovery

• perfectionism/people-pleasing as “survival skills”

What actually helps (practical + evidence-consistent)

• Reduce chronic load (even by 10–15%) and protect recovery time

• Clarify boundaries (availability, scope, response time)

• Address the workplace levers where possible (role clarity, workload, support)

• Therapy skills can support coping, but if the environment is unsustainable, coping alone won’t fix the root problem

General information only, not a substitute for personal assessment or treatment.
If you’re at immediate risk, call 000. For crisis support in Australia, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.

References

• Bianchi, R., Schonfeld, I. S., & Laurent, E. (2015). Burnout–depression overlap: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 36, 28–41.

• Bianchi, R., Schonfeld, I. S., & Laurent, E. (2018). Burnout-depression overlap: Nomological network examination and factor analytic approach. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.

• Koutsimani, P., Montgomery, A., & Georganta, K. (2019). The relationship between burnout, depression, and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 284.

• World Health Organization. (2019). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: ICD-11.

• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Burn-out an occupational phenomenon (ICD-11 FAQ).