If you feel like you’ve reached a breaking point, and something’s got to give, you’re not alone. But, despite the ‘burnout’ conversation being a hot topic, there’s still some confusion about this challenging, and, often, incapacitating span of time. Here, we debunk key myths…

We all experience stressful situations now and again, but burnout isn’t something that happens at the end of a long, hard day. Instead, burnout builds gradually, often only becoming apparent after the ship has sailed, so to speak, leaving individuals stranded in exhaustion. Burnout is a stockpile of deeply ingrained stress that, to put it simply, has nowhere to go.

So, what do the professionals think about the much-talked-about subject? Well, charity Mental Health UK defines burnout (which is classified as a syndrome by the World Health Organisation) as “a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion” that occurs “when you have repeated and prolonged high demands that exceed resources”.

According to the Mental Health UK Burnout Report 2025, a YouGov survey of 4,418 adults found that burnout remains widespread, with 91% of those surveyed experiencing high pressure over the past year.

It seems that many of us have experienced that ongoing feeling of everything being ‘too much’. So, why is there still a lack of understanding, and, in some cases, empathy, about burnout? Let’s clear up any confusion by dispelling five misconceptions.

Myth: Burnout is a sign of ‘failure’

One of the most debilitating misconceptions is the idea that burnout is a mark of ‘failure’. In reality, burnout is a response to shouldering too much for too long, and is in no way an absence of resilience.

“Burnout is not a sign that someone is weak, unmotivated, or incapable. In fact, it often affects those who are deeply committed, conscientious, and determined to do well, even when that person’s energy is running low,” psychotherapeutic counsellor and holistic practitioner Sarah James explains.

Whether it’s an internal judgement or an external criticism, the fallout of perceiving burnout as inadequacy can lead to feelings of self-blame which can, consequently, delay recovery.

“From a psychological perspective, burnout develops when the balance between demands and resources becomes unsustainable,” notes Sarah. “When it is misinterpreted as a flaw, people often experience guilt or shame, which only adds to their exhaustion.”

Myth: You're ‘just tired’

In this fast-paced world, who isn’t ready to hit the hay at the end of a long week? As someone who seeks to align with the ebb and flow of our seasons, it’s not a stretch for me to say that our societal expectation to be ‘productive’ at all times is an issue. However, it’s essential to clarify that general tiredness and burnout aren’t the same thing.

It’s natural to feel tired at times, and, often, we can resolve this feeling by taking time out or implementing some healthy self-care strategies. However, burnout is not something that can be ‘fixed’ with a short break from the usual routine. “In counselling, we observe that burnout can occur when someone carries a high level of responsibility, but has limited opportunities for rest, recognition, or support,” Sarah explains.

So, it’s a longer, non-linear road to recovery, which can, of course, involve stepping away from it all, but will also look like prioritising your needs, setting boundaries, and being in an environment that values your wellbeing. Over time, these practices will help you address the underlying causes, whether that’s in your job or at home, and discover a fresh perspective on your life.

Often, burnout can occur at work, and while the World Health Organisation’s definition is workplace-specific – which includes exhaustion, feelings of negativity or cynicism toward one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy as symptoms – mental health professionals recognise that burnout arises in other life areas, too.

“Although the World Health Organisation describes burnout as an ‘occupational phenomenon’, lived experience shows that it extends into many other areas of life. Parenting, caregiving, academic pressures, and even the emotional effort of maintaining relationships, can all lead to burnout,” Sarah says.

“Naming and validating non-work burnout is important, because it gives language to experiences that many people have, but rarely see acknowledged,” Sarah explains. “This recognition allows people to seek help without minimising their struggles simply because they are not in a workplace role. Whether in the office, at home, or within family life, burnout reminds us that the human need for balance, boundaries, and restoration applies everywhere.”

Myth: Burnout is the same as anxiety or depression

Despite an overlap of symptoms with other conditions, there are clear markers to differentiate burnout. However, it’s often something we don’t recognise until it’s too late, with some people finding a type of ‘thrill’ in the early stages, as they push to achieve more.

In fact, according to psychologists Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North, there are 12 stages of burnout, with the first being a “compulsion to prove oneself”, characterised by “excessive ambition and perfectionism”. And while this model has faced criticism for being outdated and not acknowledging individual experience, it can still provide a general framework to understand how the process of burnout, (which, according to the theory, includes denial, withdrawal, and behavioural changes) unfolds over time, and differs from stress or anxiety, for example.

Furthermore, according to a 2020 study published in Psychiatry Research, which explored the differences between burnout and depression among those with lived experiences, there are nuanced distinctions, too – including perceived causes, as well as the emotional differences, (e.g. the reported feeling of hopelessness with depression, and helplessness with burnout).

Myth: It’s your own problem to solve

Recovering from burnout is a collective responsibility, and can involve getting help from your manager, family, or a professional, such as your doctor or a counsellor.

Sarah shares how burnout is considered in the therapeutic setting, outlining the importance of support: “In therapy, we often explore how burnout is the body and mind’s way of signalling ‘enough’. Rather than a ‘weakness’, it’s valuable feedback that change or support is needed. Reframing burnout in this way helps people shift their focus from self-blame to self-compassion – an essential component of recovery.”

So, this really isn’t a matter of some extra willpower or pushing on through as ‘everyone else manages OK’. Sometimes, the strongest thing to say is ‘I need some support.’