Burnout or depression: how can you tell what kind of help you need?

Who this guide is for — and when to get help today

This guide is for adults who feel drained, flat or detached and are wondering whether it's burnout from work or something more, such as depression. It won't diagnose you; only a clinician can do that. It will help you decide where to start, because the two point to different kinds of help.

If you're thinking about suicide or self-harm, or feel unsafe, get help now. Call or text 988 in the US or 9-8-8 in Canada, or call Samaritans free on 116 123 in the UK. In England you can also call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. If your life or someone else's is at risk, call 911 or 999. Our emergency page lists more numbers.

Burnout vs depression: what's the difference?

Burnout is a reaction to work; depression is a health condition that affects your whole life. The World Health Organization describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon that is not classified as a medical condition. In its disease classification, ICD-11, burnout has the code QD85 and sits in the chapter on factors influencing health, under problems associated with employment. It has three parts:

• feeling exhausted or drained of energy
• increasing mental distance from your job, or negative and cynical feelings about it
• a sense of being ineffective and achieving little

Two details matter. The WHO says burnout refers only to work and shouldn't describe experiences in other areas of life. And the ICD-11 entry excludes mood disorders, anxiety disorders and stress-related disorders: if one of those explains what's happening, it isn't counted as burnout.

Depression, by contrast, is a diagnosable condition. The NHS describes symptoms that last for weeks or months and get in the way of work, social life and family life.

Which signs overlap, and which point beyond work stress?

Many signs look the same, so the overlap alone can't tell you which it is. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) lists lack of energy, apathy or hopelessness, irritability, changes in sleep and appetite, and unexplained aches as signs of burnout. The NHS lists tiredness, disturbed sleep, appetite changes, irritability and aches as symptoms of depression too.

These signs point beyond work stress and are a reason to see a clinician:

• Low mood or loss of interest outside work. If you no longer enjoy hobbies, friends or weekends, not just your job, that's outside the WHO's description of burnout.
• It's lasted more than two weeks. The NHS says see a GP if you have symptoms for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks. CCOHS also notes ordinary low mood usually lifts within a week or two.
• Hopelessness, guilt or low self-worth, or moving and speaking more slowly than usual.
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm. The NHS says see a GP sooner if this happens, and use a crisis line if you feel unsafe.

A physical cause is possible too. CCOHS notes burnout-like symptoms can come from thyroid problems or a vitamin deficiency, and the NHS says a GP may arrange blood or urine tests to rule out other conditions. Our guide to the five blood tests worth asking for when you're always tired explains which.

Can a questionnaire tell you which it is?

It can flag that something needs attention, but it can't diagnose you. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults for depression (2023, grade B) and names the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), including the PHQ-9, as a common tool. It also says every positive screen should lead to further assessment to confirm the diagnosis.

The NHS says there are no physical tests for depression; a GP asks how you feel, how it affects daily life, and about recent stress, and may use a questionnaire. Filling one in beforehand can help you explain things, but take the result to a clinician rather than acting on a score.

Why the difference changes what help fits

If the problem is mainly work, the fix usually starts at work. If it might be depression, a clinician should be involved. Many people need both.

Help that fits work-related burnout

• Talk to your manager or HR about workload and expectations. In Great Britain, the Health and Safety Executive says employers have a legal duty to assess the risks to your health from stress at work, and suggests HR, a union representative, an employee assistance programme or your GP if you can't raise it with your manager.
• Use your employee assistance programme (EAP) if you have one: free, confidential short-term counselling. Health Canada's federal programme lists stress, anxiety and burnout among the issues it helps with, and the US Office of Personnel Management describes EAPs as offering short-term counselling, referral and follow-up. Our guide to how EAP counselling works covers confidentiality and how to find yours.
• Ask about occupational health if your employer has a service; HR can tell you how to be referred.
• Time off or changes in the UK. You can self-certify for seven days; after that you need a fit note, which can say you may be fit for work with changes such as different hours or tasks.

Help that fits possible depression

• Your GP, family doctor or primary-care clinician can assess you, check for physical causes, discuss treatments including medication, and refer you.
• Talking therapies, free through public programmes in the UK and Ontario (below), or through an online service if you pay. Our guide on online therapy or your GP first helps you choose.

Free help in the US, Canada and UK

United Kingdom

A GP appointment is free. In England you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP if you're 18 or over (16 in some areas) and registered with a GP; it treats low mood, depression and anxiety. Our step-by-step guide to NHS Talking Therapies self-referral covers waits and the options in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Canada

A family doctor, nurse practitioner or walk-in clinic is covered by your provincial plan. In Ontario, Ontario Structured Psychotherapy offers free cognitive behavioural therapy to adults for depression and anxiety, with referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner, or self-referral in some areas. The Government of Canada lists provincial lines such as Quebec's Info-Social 811. Many employers offer an EAP; federal employees and their families can use Health Canada's.

United States

Depression screening is part of primary care. Without insurance, federally funded health centers discount fees by income, with a full discount or nominal charge for people at or below the federal poverty guidelines. If you work for an employer with an EAP, the first sessions are free.

Compare your options

What to do next

1. If you feel unsafe, call a crisis line now.
2. Check the signs above. If low mood or loss of interest reaches beyond work, or has lasted more than two weeks, book your GP, family doctor or primary-care clinician.
3. If it's mainly work, raise workload with your manager or HR and call your EAP.
4. Write down your symptoms and how long they've lasted before any appointment.
5. Keep checking in with yourself. If changes at work don't help, or you feel worse, see a clinician.

Common questions

Related guides

• BetterHelp vs Talkspace vs Online-Therapy.com: which fits your country and budget?
• What is CBT-I for insomnia, and where can you get it free?
• Free care routes in the US, Canada and UK

Sources

1. World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. 2019.
2. World Health Organization. ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics: QD85 Burnout — description and exclusions. Accessed 20 October 2026.
3. NHS. Depression in adults — symptoms and when to see a GP.
4. NHS. Depression in adults — diagnosis.
5. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Mental health — job burnout.
6. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for depression and suicide risk in adults. 2023.
7. Health and Safety Executive. Help for employees on stress at work.
8. GOV.UK. Taking sick leave — self-certification and fit notes.
9. Health Canada. Employee Assistance Services: Employee Assistance Program.
10. US Office of Personnel Management. What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
11. NHS. NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression — self-referral. Accessed 20 October 2026.
12. Government of Ontario. Mental health services — Ontario Structured Psychotherapy.
13. Government of Canada. Mental health support: get help.
14. Health Resources and Services Administration. Find a health center.
15. HRSA Health Center Program Compliance Manual. Chapter 9: Sliding fee discount program.
16. NHS. Where to get urgent help for mental health.
17. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US).
18. 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Canada).
19. Samaritans. Contact a Samaritan.

General information, not medical advice — see our medical disclaimer. Written to the WhereToStart editorial policy. Next scheduled review: 20 April 2027.