burnout

Burnout isn’t just being tired — it’s feeling worn down deep inside.

You’ve been giving so much of yourself—at work, at home, at school, to your family, friends, or colleagues —but lately, it feels like there’s nothing left for you. Over time, the weight of it all can leave you feeling drained, disconnected, and overwhelmed, feeing negative towards yourself and your life circumstances.

You’re wondering how you’ll keep up.

What does burnout look like? 

Physically:
You might notice constant fatigue, headaches, stomach aches, or muscle pain that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause.

Behaviorally:
Maybe you find yourself avoiding tasks, procrastinating, struggling to focus, withdrawing from others, or using substances to cope.

Burnout at work

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 57% say their job has left them feeling burned out — 37% so overwhelmed that it affects their ability to do their work well.

You might feel:

• Emotionally exhausted or stuck

• Disconnected or indifferent toward your job or coworkers

• Frustrated, unproductive, procrastinating or decreased satisfaction

• Physically run down, with headaches or trouble sleeping

• More irritable or withdrawn than usual
  

Burnout often grows from:

• Heavy workloads or long hours

• Feeling out of control or unclear about what’s expected

• Difficult workplace relationships or toxic environments

• A work-life balance that feels impossible

• Feeling unrecognized or undervalued

Parental Burnout

While parenting can be wonderful and rewarding, it can also be a source of tension, stress and worry. A national survey reports the majority of parents experience isolation, loneliness and burnout from the demands of parenthood, with many feeling a lack of support in fulfilling that role.

you may notice:

• Experiencing overwhelming exhaustion related to parenting and your role as a parent

• Emotional distance from your child or loved ones

• Doubts about your ability to parent well or feeling ineffective
  

Common causes of parental burnout:

Common causes include:

• Overload - sheer volume of constant needs, sleepless nights, and endless household and family responsibilities

• The ultimate juggling act - balancing work, finances, and caregiving all at once

• Imbalance of demands, insufficient help from a partner, family or community, feeling like you have to do it all alone

• Holding yourself to impossible “perfect parent” standards

• Managing your own health challenges while caregiving

• Children with extra emotional, academic or medical needs or challenges

• Feeling invisible or unappreciated for the work you do

Academic Burnout

College burnout develops when a student experiences chronic stress over an extended period of time. These students may develop burnout symptoms including fatigue, detachment, and an overall lack of interest in academics. According to the National College Health Assessment, 80% of college students reported feeling overwhelmed, and 40% reported it was difficult to function.

What we work on in Therapy

Burnout can feel heavy, but you don’t have to carry it alone. Therapy creates a space to:

• Notice and soften harsh self-judgments

• Build healthier ways of thinking about success and worth

• Accept difficult feelings without being overwhelmed by them

• Find clarity about what truly matters to you

• Learn practical tools to manage stress and rebuild balance

Therapy talk: evidence-based modalities

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for both burnout

• Helps identify and reframe negative thought patterns about productivity, work, and worth.

• Examples:

• Reframing “I must always do things perfectly” to “Doing my best is enough.”

• Addressing all-or-nothing thinking (e.g., “If I don’t do this flawlessly, I’m a failure”).

2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Focuses on accepting difficult emotions and committing to values-driven actions.

• Helps individuals learn to live with imperfection and discomfort.

• Encourages mindfulness and self-awareness.

Burnout is a signal, not a failure. It’s your mind and body asking for rest, support, and a chance to reset. You don’t have to do it all alone. Small steps—setting boundaries, asking for help, or simply pausing—can help you regain energy and perspective.