When Depression is Burnout (And Why Both Are Potentially Just Symptoms)

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

— Albert Einstein.

I’ve often encountered individuals grappling with feelings of exhaustion, emotional numbness, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. These experiences are frequently labelled as either burnout or depression. But what if we’re looking at these labels all wrong?

As a physician and holistic wellness coach, I challenge the conventional view that treats burnout and depression as distinct diagnoses. Instead, I propose that both are symptomatic manifestations of a deeper issue—disruptions in our core relationships: with ourselves, our work, and the world around us.

Let’s Get Real: The Great Misdiagnosis

We live in a world that loves neat little boxes, especially regarding mental health. It must be burnout if you’re constantly tired, emotionally depleted, and struggling at work. But if you’re crying for no reason, can’t get out of bed, and feel like you’ve lost all joy in life, well, that must be depression.

But here’s the thing: these boxes aren’t as tidy or accurate as we think.

Burnout and depression often look like twins. They share symptoms like profound fatigue,

emotional detachment, and a sense of inefficacy. And while the medical world may want to classify one as a workplace phenomenon and the other as a clinical condition, real life doesn’t operate in such black-and-white terms.

In my TEDx talk, Redefining Burnout, I challenge the notion that burnout is simply a work-

related issue. It’s much bigger than that. Burnout is, at its core, a relationship issue. It’s what happens when one (or more) of your critical relationships—whether it’s with yourself, your job, or your community—falls out of alignment.

Burnout vs. Depression: What’s the Difference?

Traditionally, burnout is seen as the result of prolonged occupational stress. You’re emotionally drained, cynical about your work, and plagued by feelings of ineffectiveness. The World Health Organization classifies it as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition.

Depression, on the other hand, is considered a clinical condition affecting various aspects of life. It includes persistent sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Unlike burnout, depression isn’t limited to work and can invade all areas of life.

But here’s where things get tricky: the significant overlap between these two. I’ve seen it time and again in my clinical experience—clients being treated for depression who are facing burnout, and vice versa. Antidepressants might take the edge off, but they rarely address the deeper issue.

Because the truth is, neither burnout nor depression is the root problem. They’re warning

signs—symptoms telling us something deeper needs our attention.

The Root Cause: Disrupted Relationships

Instead of viewing burnout and depression as separate boxes, let’s look at them as flashing red warning lights. They alert you to a more profound disruption in one of three critical relationships.

1. Your Relationship with Yourself

Are you nurturing your own needs? Or are you constantly self-critical, neglecting rest, and ignoring your emotional signals? When self-care becomes an afterthought and your inner dialogue turns toxic, it’s no surprise that symptoms of depression creep in. Your soul starts waving a white flag, begging you to pay attention.

2. Your Relationship with Work

Is your work aligned with your values and passions? Or do you feel trapped, unappreciated, and disconnected from what you do daily? Burnout becomes inevitable when you think your job is draining your life force instead of fueling it. And no, it’s not just about long hours or a bad boss—it’s about the more profound mismatch between who you are and how you spend your time.

3. Your Relationship with the Broader Environment

We are wired for connection. When we feel isolated, unsupported, or unseen by our community or society, it impacts our mental health profoundly. The loneliness epidemic isn’t just a social problem—it’s a mental health crisis. And when people feel like they don’t belong anywhere, symptoms of both burnout and depression emerge.

So, when someone asks, “Is this burnout or depression?” my answer is simple: Yes. It could be both. It’s not about the label—it’s about what’s broken beneath the surface.

The Real Question: Which Relationship Needs Healing?

Instead of asking which diagnosis you fit into, ask yourself: Which relationship in my life is out of balance?

Because once we identify that, the path forward becomes clearer.

This reframing shifts the conversation from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What’s happening around and within me that needs my attention?”

It invites self-compassion instead of shame. It empowers change instead of reinforcing

passivity. Most importantly, it brings us closer to lasting healing.

A New Path Forward: Rewiring Through Positive Intelligence

Most traditional treatments focus on symptom management—therapy, medication, lifestyle tweaks. And don’t get me wrong, those tools have their place. But symptom relief is just the beginning. You must go deeper if you want transformation, not just temporary relief.

That’s why I’m such a firm believer in Positive Intelligence.

Positive Intelligence, developed by Shirzad Chamine, is a powerful method for training the brain to shift focus from self-sabotage to self-mastery. It integrates insights from:

● Positive Psychology: The scientific study of human flourishing and well-being.

● Cognitive Psychology: Identifying and reframing negative thought patterns.

● Neuroscience: Understanding neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections.

● Performance Science: Strategies to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Think of it as mental fitness training. Instead of being hijacked by stress, doubt, or fear, you train your brain to respond with clarity, courage, and confidence. It’s like learning to lift emotional weights—your brain, like your body, gets stronger with practice.

My Approach at Holistic Wellness Strategies

At Holistic Wellness Strategies, my coaching approach goes beyond temporary fixes. I guide my clients through a structured, transformative journey that involves:

1. Deep Listening & Diagnosis: Understanding the symptoms and the story behind them.

2. Neural Rewiring: Replacing sabotaging thought patterns with supportive ones.

3. Balancing the Wellness Wheel: Looking at all areas of life—physical, mental,

emotional, social, and spiritual.

4. Custom Strategy Building: Designing sustainable systems and habits that align with

your values and goals.

My clients aren’t just looking to feel a bit better—they want to feel whole. They’re seeking clarity, energy, and a renewed sense of purpose. That kind of transformation requires more than surface-level solutions. It requires a guide who sees the whole picture—and that’s precisely what I aim to offer.

Why Coaching Might Be Your Missing Link

Therapy can help you unpack the past, and that’s incredibly valuable. But coaching empowers you to design your future.

If you’ve been emotionally, professionally, or spiritually stuck, it might be time to partner with someone who can help you get unstuck. Someone can hold up a mirror and hand you the tools to move forward.

As your coach, I’m not here to diagnose or judge. I’m here to help you reclaim your power and rewrite your story—one step at a time.

Ready to Thrive—Not Just Survive?

Burnout and depression are not the end of the road. They are signposts pointing you toward something that desperately needs healing. And healing is possible. Not just surface-level coping, but profound, lasting transformation.

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start creating a life that lights you up, I invite you to book a complimentary strategy call with me.

Let’s talk. Let’s uncover what’s holding you back. And let’s create a game plan that helps you move forward with clarity, purpose, and joy.

You don’t have to settle for survival. You were made to thrive.

Dr. Tomi Mitchell