Yes, ADHD burnout can feel like depression. There is some overlap in the signs and outward behaviors associated with both, although they are distinct conditions.
These similarities can make it difficult to determine whether someone is experiencing depression or ADHD burnout, especially for people who are not aware they have ADHD.
This confusion can make it more likely that people with ADHD will be diagnosed with depression when this does not accurately reflect what they are experiencing.
Treatment could be given for depression which does not work because it is not addressing the causes of ADHD burnout. Therefore, it’s important to understand the differences so a proper diagnosis can be made.
It is important to note that it is possible to experience BOTH ADHD burnout AND depression at the same time. Co-occurring mental health conditions are very common in people with ADHD.
Similarities between ADHD burnout and depression
Similarities between ADHD burnout and depression include:
Emotional symptoms
Both ADHD burnout and depression can cause a person to feel sad, irritable, and experience a loss of interest in things they once enjoyed.
Both can also cause apathy, a lack of feeling or interest in things that are normally important.
A person with ADHD noted:
“It’s easy to understand why that comes across as depression because there are so many of the symptoms of depression… When I’m in ADHD burnout, from the outside looking in, it looks like depression.”
Lack of motivation
Both conditions can result in a significant lack of motivation and drive to complete tasks. People experiencing either condition may struggle to start or finish everyday activities.
Physical and mental fatigue
Both can lead to feelings of exhaustion, being drained, and a struggle to engage fully with life.
It can be difficult for people experiencing either condition to recover from this fatigue, even after adequate rest.
Negative outlook
Both can cause a person to have a more negative or cynical view of life, and feelings of being trapped or defeated. Self-doubt and a lack of self-trust are also common.
Detachment and isolation
Both can cause a person to feel disconnected from others, leading to a desire to withdraw and isolate.
Cognitive difficulties
Both can lead to mental fogginess and difficulty thinking clearly, as well as poor concentration and focus.
Low self-esteem
Both can cause people to experience low self-confidence and high self-criticism.
Changes in sleep
Both conditions can result in sleep disturbances such as sleeping more or less than usual or experiencing restless sleep.
What are the differences between ADHD burnout and depression?
While ADHD burnout and depression share many similar symptoms, there are key differences in their causes, duration, and internal experiences:
Causes and Triggers
ADHD burnout is often triggered by the chronic stress of managing ADHD symptoms and navigating a world not designed for neurodivergent individuals.
It can be a response to the continuous depletion of energetic coping resources due to overstimulation, over-commitment, and the effort of masking. External factors and specific stressors often play a significant role.
Depression is a mental health condition with a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
It is not typically caused by external factors in the same way as burnout, although stressful life events can be a trigger.
Duration
ADHD burnout may be more situational and can last for a shorter period, such as a few days, before a person is able to recover.
Individuals with ADHD may experience a cycle of burnout where they might burnout for a while and then recover.
Depression is characterized by a longer duration, where symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even longer.
Internal Experience
During ADHD burnout, a person may feel exhausted, drained, and overwhelmed, but not necessarily sad.
The internal experience is often related to a sense of having “nothing left to give.”
In depression, people often have persistent sad thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, and may question the point of life. They may also ruminate on negative past events.
One person noted that when they are alone in ADHD burnout, they do not have sad thoughts, but rather feel “I’m so done. I’m tired, exhausted, drained.”
Relationship to External Factors
ADHD burnout is often linked to external factors such as workplace stress, overcommitment, and trying to meet neurotypical expectations.
Depression, while external factors can worsen it, is not typically caused by these types of stressors in the same way as burnout, although stressful life events can be a trigger.
Thoughts and Feelings
ADHD burnout is often associated with a lack of motivation, but the internal experience tends to be one of feeling drained and depleted, rather than sad.
Thoughts are often focused on wanting to rest and recover, and not negative thoughts about the self or life.
In depression, sad or negative thoughts and feelings are central to the experience.
Impact on Functioning
Both conditions impact a person’s ability to function in daily life, but the underlying reasons may be different.
In ADHD burnout, it’s often due to a lack of energy, while in depression, it may also include a lack of hope or negative self-perception.
Response to Rest
With ADHD burnout, rest and reduced external demands can lead to a significant improvement in a relatively short period of time.
With depression, simply resting may not be enough to significantly alleviate symptoms and the condition usually requires other forms of treatment such as therapy and medication.
Other Important Differences:
- Executive Function: ADHD is associated with deficits in executive function such as time management, organization, planning, and self-regulation. Difficulties with executive function can contribute to both ADHD burnout and depression, although these are not specific to depression.
- Sensory Overload: Many with ADHD experience sensory overload, which can also contribute to ADHD burnout. Sensory overload is not typically a key factor in depression.
- Masking: The effort to mask ADHD traits can be exhausting and is a significant factor in ADHD burnout. Masking is not typically a factor in depression.
In summary:
While both ADHD burnout and depression share similar symptoms like fatigue and low mood, the underlying causes, duration, and internal experiences are different.
ADHD burnout is often related to external stressors and the chronic challenges of managing ADHD, while depression is a mental health condition that is usually more pervasive.
It can be helpful to reflect on whether the symptoms are linked to a situational stress or are more pervasive and long-lasting in order to determine whether you are experiencing ADHD burnout or depression.
Reflective questions
To distinguish between ADHD burnout and depression, consider the following questions:
- Is the experience recent and linked to specific stressors (ADHD burnout) or persistent and pervasive (depression)?
- Do you primarily feel exhausted and drained (ADHD burnout), or do you experience persistent sadness, hopelessness, and negative thoughts?
- Are the symptoms primarily triggered by external stressors (ADHD burnout) or less directly related (depression)?
- Are your thoughts primarily focused on wanting to rest and recover (ADHD burnout), or do you experience negative self-talk and rumination (depression)?
- Is the difficulty functioning primarily due to a lack of energy (ADHD burnout) or also includes a
- Does rest and reduced demands lead to significant improvement in a short period (ADHD burnout) or are symptoms less responsive to rest alone (depression)?
Please note that these questions are for getting a general idea of your mental health and should not be taken as professional advice. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
