URMC / Employee Assistance Program / News & Events / UR Medicine EAP Blog / October 2017 / Is it Burnout or Depression? Is it Burnout or Depression? "Burnout” was first coined in 1970 by an American psychologist who applied the term to exhausted health professionals. Now it is applied to almost any job or professional. Be cautious. Research published by the National Institutes of Health this year showed that there is really no clear definition of burnout. Consequently, what it is and how it is diagnosed are not consistent from one researcher to the next. And this makes it impossible to say how common it is! Some experts think many people mistake depression for burnout. This can be a roadblock to getting treatment for the disease. So, if you feel burned out, start with an assessment from a mental health professional and then formulate your intervention plan. 10/3/2017 You may also like Workaholic: Myths That Mess with Mental Health Bored with a Great Job? Why the Sunday Night Blues? Give Your Brain a Break