Part 4: Burnout Has a Face—Can You Spot It in Yourself or Others?
Burnout doesn’t always look like someone lying on the floor, unable to move.
Often, it looks like the high-performer who’s stopped smiling.
The caregiver who has nothing left to give.
The colleague who’s suddenly distant, irritable, or numb.
Burnout wears many masks. It’s subtle—especially at first. But when we know what to look for, we can intervene earlier, with compassion.
Why It’s So Hard to Spot Burnout
Burnout can mimic depression, anxiety, even ADHD. People experiencing it often normalize their symptoms or blame themselves:
“I’m just lazy.”
“I should be able to handle this.”
“I need to push through.”
Sound familiar?
Burnout also thrives in cultures where overwork is praised. In those settings, rest feels like failure, and emotional exhaustion is a badge of honor.
How to Recognize Burnout in Yourself
Here are some practical ways to check in:
Mood check: Have you become more irritable, cynical, or emotionally flat?
Energy check: Do you feel drained most of the day—even after sleeping?
Enjoyment check: Have you stopped finding joy in things you used to love?
Social check: Are you withdrawing or avoiding connection, even with loved ones?
Somatic check: Is your body telling you something? (frequent headaches, stomach issues, tension)
Try this quick burnout self-assessment: Mind Tools Burnout Test
How to Recognize Burnout in Others
Sometimes we’re the observer—watching a loved one or coworker fade out.
Things to look for:
They stop showing up emotionally (or physically)
Their tone becomes more negative or hopeless
They seem chronically tired, sick, or forgetful
Their performance dips—or they overwork to compensate
Don’t rush to “fix” them. Instead:
Offer empathy: “You seem really tired lately. Want to talk?”
Normalize help-seeking: “I’ve felt like that before—therapy helped me a lot.”
Share resources gently. Let them know they’re not alone.
Burnout is isolating. Recognition can be the first crack of light.
