Comorbid Conditions Symptom Tests

[Self-Test] Am I Burnt Out? 14 Questions That Reveal Symptoms of Burnout

“Am I burnt out?” Answer these questions to gauge whether your symptoms line up with the telltale signs of burnout.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Updated on August 19, 2024
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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.1 2 Gastrointestinal issues, sleep problems, and other symptoms are also common in burnout.3

Burnout 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.5 6 Burnout also appears to be closely related to depression and anxiety.7

Burnout 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. This self-test is intended for personal use only. It is not intended as a diagnostic tool.

I’m having trouble falling and/or staying asleep of late.

On the job or while attending to my responsibilities, I often say things to myself like, “I can’t take it anymore” and “I’m at the end of my rope.”

I feel emotionally drained from my work or other responsibilities.

I don’t enjoy engaging in my work or other responsibilities.

I feel like my job or responsibilities are hardening me emotionally.

I feel like I’m on autopilot when working or fulfilling other responsibilities.

I don’t feel like I accomplish many worthwhile things in my work or other responsibilities.

Outside of my work and/or responsibilities, I don’t have enough energy for family, friends, and other activities.

I doubt the significance of my work or other responsibilities.

I dread getting up in the morning knowing I have to face my work or other responsibilities.

I find myself needing more and more time to recharge after I finish the workday or complete my responsibilities.

I feel physically worn out at the end of the day.

Of late, I’m experiencing stomach pain, constipation, and/or other gastrointestinal issues.

I often feel frustrated or irritated by my job or responsibilities.

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Am I Burnt Out?: Next Steps

View Article Sources

1 American Psychological Association. Burnout. In APA dictionary of psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/burnout

2 Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311

3 Hammarström, P., Rosendahl, S., Gruber, M., & Nordin, S. (2023). Somatic symptoms in burnout in a general adult population. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 168, 111217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111217

4 Combs, M. A., Canu, W. H., Broman-Fulks, J. J., Rocheleau, C. A., & Nieman, D. C. (2015). Perceived stress and ADHD symptoms in adults. Journal of Attention Disorders, 19(5), 425–434. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054712459558

5 Higuchi, Y., Inagaki, M., Koyama, T., Kitamura, Y., Sendo, T., Fujimori, M., Uchitomi, Y., & Yamada, N. (2016). A cross-sectional study of psychological distress, burnout, and the associated risk factors in hospital pharmacists in Japan. BMC Public Health, 16, 534. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3208-5

6 Brattberg, G. (2006) PTSD and ADHD: underlying factors in many cases of burnout. Stress & Health, 22 (5), 305-313. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1112

7 Koutsimani, P., Montgomery, A., & Georganta, K. (2019). The Relationship Between Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 284. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00284