Depression is also known as burnout. But why do we burn out inside – and what helps? We reveal all the answers.
What is exhaustion depression?
With exhaustion depression, people feel deeply exhausted and burned out, both physically and psychologically. They feel under extreme pressure and are no longer up to their daily tasks, which leads to symptoms such as sleep disorders and fatigue. Fatigue depression is often referred to as burnout.
Exhaustion depression or normal depression?
Exhaustion depression can usually be differentiated from a classic depression. Depression can have different causes, while the person suffering from exhaustion depression can no longer perform a certain task – for example his job or the care of relatives. The first signs of burnout are often ignored – until you just can't do it anymore and the overexertion becomes apparent through extreme exhaustion.
What causes exhaustion depression?
Basically, every person can suffer a burnout. However, it is often those who have high expectations of themselves and who always try to do their work perfectly. But the causes of fatigue depression can also be external factors. The following triggers can exist:
- Personally bad handling of stress
- Constantly heavy physical or mental stress at work or at home
- mobbing
- Lack of recognition
- Bad working conditions (e.g. little money, long working hours)
These symptoms are caused by exhaustion depression
The symptoms of fatigue depression are similar to depression symptoms and often quickly affect everyday life. Burnout can cause the following symptoms:
Those who no longer feel up to the daily tasks can also develop feelings of fear. Affected people withdraw and often lose interest in social interaction or in their hobbies – like depression. If the burnout is not treated, at worst thoughts of suicide can arise.
Therapy: Which treatment helps against fatigue depression?
To alleviate the symptoms, psychotherapy is usually necessary – usually behavioral therapy is used. In addition, drugs such as antidepressants are used. The affected person himself can also help alleviate his symptoms with a little movement in everyday life – Studies show that sport has a mood-enhancing effect. In addition, patients should make sure that they have enough time to relax in addition to their obligations so that they do not slip back into the stress trap.
Reading tip: You can find out everything about depressive mood and how to treat depression here. You can find out how resilience can help you prevent this here.