Does your exhaustion mean you have burnout or seasonal depression
- Scarlet Plus LLC
- Dec 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Many professionals today feel tired and overwhelmed. You might find it hard to get out of bed or stay focused on your work tasks. When you feel this way, you might wonder if you are just stressed from your job or if something deeper is happening. Two common issues that look very similar are burnout and depression. When the weather gets cold and the days get shorter, seasonal depression can also enter the picture.
Understanding the difference between these states is the first step toward feeling better. Forbs Behavioral Health Services is here to help you navigate these feelings. We offer support to people in Frederick and across Maryland and D.C. through both in person care and telehealth options.
What is burnout
Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by long term stress at work. It often happens when you feel like you have no control over your job or when you work too many hours without enough rest. People with burnout often feel cynical about their career. They might feel like their work does not matter anymore.
The main sign of burnout is that the feelings are tied to your job. You might feel great on a Friday evening but start to feel dread on Sunday night. When you take a long vacation, burnout symptoms often start to fade. However, if you return to the same stressful environment, the exhaustion usually comes back quickly.
Understanding depression and how it differs
Depression is different because it usually affects every part of your life. It is not just about your job. When you have depression, you might lose interest in hobbies you used to love. You might feel sad or empty even when you are not at work. Depression can change your sleep patterns and your appetite.
A key difference is that depression often carries a sense of low self worth or guilt. Burnout is mostly about being tired of a specific situation. While burnout can lead to depression if it is not treated, they are two separate health concerns. If you feel like your sadness follows you everywhere, it is a good idea to seek a professional psychiatric evaluation to understand what is going on.
The role of seasonal depression in professional life
Seasonal depression is a type of depression that happens at specific times of year. Most people feel these symptoms during the late fall and winter months. The medical name for this is seasonal affective disorder. Because the symptoms start when it gets dark early, it can easily be confused with year end work stress.
If you already feel burnout from a busy year, seasonal depression can make your exhaustion feel much worse. You might feel a heavy weight in your limbs or a strong need to sleep more than usual. You may also crave foods that are high in carbohydrates. This happens because the lack of sunlight affects the chemicals in your brain that regulate mood.
For professionals in the Frederick area, the winter months can make a commute feel more draining. The darkness can lower your energy levels and make it hard to stay productive. It is important to realize that seasonal depression is a real medical condition and not just a case of the winter blues.
How to tell if it is burnout or seasonal depression
You should look at the timing and the cause of your feelings. If your low mood only happens in the winter, you might be dealing with seasonal depression. If your mood improves when you think about things outside of work, you might be facing burnout.
Here is a list of things to consider.
Do you feel better on the weekends or during holidays.
Does your mood change when the seasons change.
Do you feel hopeless about your life in general or just your career path.
Have you noticed changes in your weight or sleep that are not related to work stress.
If you find that you cannot shake the heavy feeling regardless of where you are, you may need professional help. Individual therapy is a great way to talk through these feelings and find coping skills that work for your specific life.
Why professionals should not ignore these signs
Many high achievers try to push through the pain. You might think that being tired is just part of being a successful professional. However, ignoring these signs can lead to serious health problems. Long term stress and untreated seasonal depression can affect your heart health and your immune system.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that early intervention is the best way to recover. When you address the problem early, you can prevent your symptoms from getting worse. This allows you to stay successful in your career while also enjoying your personal life.
Treatment options for recovery
The good news is that both burnout and seasonal depression are very treatable. At Forbs Behavioral Health Services, we look at the whole person to find the right path forward.
For some people, medication management is an effective way to balance brain chemicals during the dark winter months. This can help lift the heavy fog of seasonal depression so you can focus on your goals again. Others find that therapy helps them set better boundaries at work to reduce burnout.
We provide depression treatment that is tailored to your unique needs. Whether you need to talk to someone or explore medical options, there is a solution available for you.
Getting help in Frederick and beyond
You do not have to figure this out on your own. Forbs Behavioral Health Services provides expert care for professionals dealing with these challenges. We understand that your time is valuable. That is why we offer telehealth services for psychiatric evaluations across Maryland and D.C. This means you can get the help you need from the comfort of your office or home.
If you prefer to meet with someone face to face, we offer in person treatments at our office in Frederick. Our team is dedicated to helping you find balance and joy in your life again.
If you want to learn more about how we can help, visit our website at forbsbehavioralhealth.com today. Taking the first step to ask for help is a sign of strength and the best way to start your journey back to wellness.
