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Abigail came to therapy wondering if she had ADHD. “I never had this problem before. It’s like I just can’t sit and focus.” An experienced educator, Abi was proud to land a position at one of Bangkok’s top international schools—a real “feather in her cap.” Now, she’s not so sure. She feels there’s a lack of administrative support, and it seems they just want her to follow the same old lessons as her predecessor. “No innovation, no creativity,” she lamented.

“I’m starting to wonder if I really am a good teacher. Everything I do is second-guessed by my line manager, who has less experience than me.” Abi is losing sleep. She feels beaten down and exhausted most of the time. She’s also worried her growing cynicism toward her workplace may be spilling over into crankiness at home. Thank goodness the semester break is coming. A full ten days at the beach.

“I can’t wait. Beach all day and great restaurants at night!” she said, showing me her first smile of the session.

Narongsak said in his first session,“I’ve had these periods before—weeks or even months—when I feel so low I hate getting out of bed. My friends keep calling me to go out, but I don’t want to do anything fun. I’ll just spoil the party. I just want to stay home.” Lately, Narongsak often finds himself asking, “What’s the point?” His kids are grown and gone, and they don’t visit often. He wonders if maybe he wasn’t a very good father after all.

At work, he hasn’t been promoted in two years and feels invisible. His wife pushed him to try therapy, saying she’s tired of him moping around: “I ask a simple question and he eats my brain!” For the past few months, Narongsak has been waking up at 4 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep. He’s exhausted all day. He finds it incredibly hard to envision a happy future.

Same Same, or Different?

Burnout and depression share many overlapping symptoms—fatigue, reduced motivation, and a sense of hopelessness—which can make them difficult to distinguish. But they are distinct conditions with different causes, courses, and treatments. Understanding the differences is crucial for identifying the right support and intervention.

Burnout

sometimes described as emotional exhaustion—is a state of physical, emotional, and mental fatigue caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It is most commonly associated with work but can also result from chronic caregiving, academic pressure, or other sustained responsibilities. Abigail is experiencing burnout. Her fatigue and cynicism are work-related.

Though she questions her abilities, she still finds joy outside of work and looks forward to time off. Her condition is likely to improve with rest, support, or a change in work environment.

Depression

 on the other hand, goes beyond situational stress and can occur without a clear external cause. Symptoms of depression include: persistent sadness or emptiness, loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, significant changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbance, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty thinking or making decisions, and even thoughts of death or suicide.

Narongsak is showing signs of major depressive disorder. His loss of joy, early-morning waking, self-doubt, and persistent hopelessness affect all aspects of his life—not just work—and point to a deeper, more global mood disturbance. Narongsak will most likely benefit from therapy, and maybe medication.

Conclusion

While burnout and depression can look similar on the surface, they have different roots and respond to different kinds of support. Recognizing the distinction allows individuals—and professionals—to respond appropriately, whether through lifestyle changes, workplace adjustments, or medical and psychological care. If you’re unsure which one you’re facing, speaking with a mental health professional can help clarify the picture and guide you toward the most effective path to recovery.

Daniel Boyd, MA, MS, CAS

July 4, 2025

(Characters are fictitious.)