You’re tired...
Not just physically...
But emotionally...
Mentally...
Spiritually tired!
The kind of tired that sleep doesn’t fix
The kind that lingers even on your days off
The kind of tired that makes you wonder if something deeper is wrong
You’re not lazy
You’re not broken
You might be dealing with emotional burnout
Or depression
Or maybe both
Let’s talk about the difference — and why knowing matters
What is emotional burnout?
Burnout is your body and mind saying, “I’m done,” after being pushed too far for too long
It often comes from caregiving, chronic stress, overworking, or constantly putting others first
Signs of burnout:
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Constant fatigue, especially after work or social time
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Detachment or numbness
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Feeling like everything is urgent and nothing is meaningful
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Trouble sleeping, or waking up already tired
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Irritability or lack of motivation
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Wanting to disappear but not necessarily feeling hopeless
Burnout is your nervous system waving a white flag
It’s not always dramatic
Sometimes it looks like scrolling past your feelings
Or withdrawing quietly
Or crying over small things because you’re running on empty
What is depression?
Depression goes deeper
It affects your energy, mood, motivation, and self-worth
It’s not just about being tired
It’s about feeling disconnected from life itself
Signs of depression:
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Feeling empty or emotionally flat
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Difficulty feeling joy, even during things you used to love
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Loss of appetite or emotional eating
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Thinking you are the problem
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Shame, hopelessness, or frequent crying
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Low motivation that lasts for weeks or months
Why does the difference matter?
Burnout often improves with rest, boundaries, and lifestyle change
Depression usually needs deeper support, reflection, and therapeutic care
If you are burnt out but don’t slow down, it can evolve into depression
And if you are depressed but think it’s just burnout, you may delay the healing you need
Knowing the difference helps you give yourself the right kind of care
Not just a day off
But deep repair
What therapy offers in both cases:
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A safe place to name the exhaustion and where it comes from
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Tools to stop the spiral of burnout before it becomes depression
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Gentle support in rebuilding your capacity to feel again
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A reminder that you don’t have to push through everything
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A plan for rest, regulation, and recovery
You are not just tired
You are carrying too much
And therapy is where you can finally set it down
Therapy isn’t about being fixed. It’s about being found.