According to the World Health Organization, burnout is not a distinct medical condition, but rather a state resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is typically characterized by three things: profound exhaustion, mental distance or cynicism toward one's job, and a sense of reduced productivity. Burnout explicitly relates to the occupational context.

Depression is a mental illness. It can affect anyone and manifests itself through features like persistent low mood and a loss of interest and pleasure. Other common symptoms include sleep and concentration problems, feelings of guilt, and sometimes thoughts of no longer wanting to live. The symptoms last for at least two weeks and significantly impair daily life.

In daily life, the two terms are frequently mixed up. To put it simply: burnout is like your battery running empty, primarily due to too much work or permanent overload. A depression means that the entire system is affected—regardless of whether there is currently a high workload. A break or a change of job can noticeably improve burnout. With depression, the low mood persists despite taking a break—making professional treatment essential.

Burnout is the result of too much work and too few breaks—frequently in the workplace, but sometimes also due to the burden of providing care or assistance to relatives. It is typical for those affected to have previously achieved a great deal, only to "suddenly" find themselves barely able to cope. Their motivation and performance at work decrease both perceptibly and noticeably to themselves.

Three elements often reinforce one another:

• Working conditions: such as constant stress, continuous interruptions, or having little control over tasks.
• Internal drivers: such as the belief "I must never say no."
• A lack of recovery.

Role conflicts, such as balancing a job and caring for relatives at the same time, also frequently play a part.

Many psychosomatic clinics that treat burnout patients describe distinct phases that a person goes through during burnout: ranging from high commitment and increasing exhaustion to withdrawal and a lack of perspective. The transitions between these phases are fluid. However, for people affected by burnout, knowing about these phases is less helpful than taking action early and ensuring recovery.

• Relieve pressure: Please cancel appointments, redistribute tasks, and limit your working hours. Initial improvement often shows simply by gaining physical distance from the source of stress.
• Establish a rhythm: Please go to bed regularly, take set breaks, and get plenty of exercise in the fresh air.
• Get support: Talk to your family doctor about how to organize a break and how you can subsequently undergo a gradual reintegration back into work.
• Watch out for this trap: Please do not adopt a "grin and bear it/bite the bullet" attitude. This strategy only intensifies and prolongs the exhaustion.

Depression does not arise from weakness, but rather from an interplay of genetic predisposition, life stressors, and biochemical processes in the brain. It can affect anyone—regardless of their job.

Multiple factors frequently work together:

• Burdening events: such as a breakup or grieving for a loved one.
• Ongoing stress.
• Physical illnesses.
• Hormonal changes.
• A family history of depression.

A lack of sleep and social isolation also increase the risk.

Typical symptoms include persistent low mood, a lack of interest, and a loss of joy. Furthermore, many people with depression suffer from a lack of drive, sleep disturbances, and a loss of appetite. Many of those affected can no longer concentrate, feel guilty for their situation, and withdraw from family or friends. Not every instance of sadness is a depression—the duration and the level of distress are the deciding factors.

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other psychotherapeutic methods are highly effective as individual or group therapy.
• Medication: Antidepressants can help in moderate to severe cases. The choice of medication and dosage is determined by a doctor. The effects generally kick in after a few weeks.
• Combination: For more severe depression, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is often the most effective approach.
• Everyday self-help: A structured daily routine, good sleep hygiene, regular social contacts, and plenty of exercise support the treatment.

Sometimes you need an initial starting point before taking the next step. Self-assessments help organize your thoughts, but they do not replace a diagnosis.

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) is an internationally recognized test that comprises nine questions about typical depression symptoms and provides initial clues. You can download, print, and fill it out from Wikipedia. The evaluation is simple.

The digital health application (DiGA) deprexis offers an online self-test as a starting point. deprexis is an effective, innovative therapy that has been used worldwide for many years for adults with mild, moderate, or severe unipolar depression. The goal of the treatment is the sustainable improvement of depressive symptoms and an increase in activity. The program can be prescribed by doctors and psychotherapists. Health insurance companies cover the costs.