According to the American Psychological Association (APA), burnout is a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress.
Burnout is accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance, a sense of ineffectiveness, and negative, cynical attitudes toward oneself and others.12 Gastrointestinal issues, sleep problems, and other symptoms are also common in burnout.3Burnout is typically considered in relation to work and careers (the World Health Organization characterizes burnout as an “occupational phenomenon”), but the term has expanded to include other roles, circumstances, and areas of life where chronic stress may occur.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — a condition that impacts regulation and functioning and is associated with increased stress4 — increases risk for burnout.56 Burnout also appears to be closely related to depression and anxiety.7Burnout isn’t a medical diagnosis.
That said, if you’re wondering whether you’re experiencing burnout, answer the questions below and share the results with a licensed mental health professional.This self-test — drafted by ADDitude editors and informed, in part, by the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory — is designed to screen for the possibility of burnout.