Understanding Burnout vs Depression: Expert Insights on Stress, Exhaustion, and Recovery

Many of us feel exhausted, drained, and overwhelmed—especially in times of high stress. But how do you know if what you’re experiencing is burnout or depression? Psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold, an expert on physician burnout and mental health, joins us to explain the difference, why it matters, and how to care for yourself before burnout turns into something more serious.

This episode explores the overlap between workplace exhaustion and clinical depression, common signs of each, and practical coping tools. Dr. Gold also shares her own story of realizing she was burned out—even as a mental health professional—and the lessons she’s learned about rest, boundaries, and self-compassion.

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Am I burned out, or is this depression?”, this conversation will help you better understand your experience and take steps toward healing.

Links to articles referenced in episode: https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2021/03/04/physician-burnout-covid-19-pandemic-jessi-gold

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

Primary Topics Covered:

• The concept of “languishing” and how it relates to burnout
• Dr. Gold’s personal experience recognizing her own burnout
• The key differences between burnout and depression
• Why burnout increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts
• How self-compassion and rest are vital forms of self-care
• Coping tools: chunking life into smaller, manageable pieces
• Why listening to your body and setting boundaries is crucial

Timestamps:

• 00:01 – Introduction to languishing and the spectrum of mental health
• 02:30 – Dr. Jessi Gold’s personal story of burnout during the pandemic
• 05:15 – How even mental health experts can miss the signs of burnout
• 07:20 – Burnout as a workplace issue and how it differs from depression
• 08:45 – Symptoms of depression vs. burnout explained
• 11:00 – The challenge of relationships when you feel burned out
• 12:45 – Practicing patience and grace with yourself
• 13:40 – Listening to your body and adjusting your workload
• 14:30 – Why coping skills must be personalized, not one-size-fits-all
• 16:00 – Self-care as rest, not just more items on a to-do list
• 18:20 – Closing thoughts, resources, and upcoming episodes

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