Burnout and Stress

• Burnout is a defense characterized by disengagement.
• Stress is characterized by over-engagement.

• In burnout, the emotions become blunted.
• In stress, the emotions become over reactive.

• In burnout, the emotional damage is primary.
• In stress, the physical damage is primary.

• The exhaustion of burnout affects motivation and drive.
• The exhaustion of stress affects physical energy.

• Burnout produces demoralization.
• Stress produces disintegration.

• Burnout can best be understood as a loss of ideals and hope.
• Stress can best be understood as a loss of fuel and energy.

• The depression of burnout is caused by the grief engendered by the loss of ideals and hope.
• The depression of stress is produced by the body’s need to protect itself and conserve energy.

• Burnout produces paranoia, depersonalization, and detachment.
• Stress produces panic, phobias, and anxiety disorders.

• Burnout may never kill you but your long life may not seem worth living.
• Stress may kill you prematurely, and you may not have enough time to finish what you started.