Burnout
Burnout Self-Check: How Strong Are the Signs?
Twelve statements about the past month at work. You get a clear read on exhaustion, cynicism and effectiveness, one first step and the essay to read next. Not a diagnosis.
About this self-check
Burnout rarely announces itself. It shows up as dread that starts on Sunday afternoon, as cynicism about work you used to care about, as finishing things without feeling you did them well. Burnout researchers, led by Christina Maslach, describe three parts: exhaustion, cynicism or detachment, and a reduced sense of effectiveness. The World Health Organization classes burnout as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical diagnosis.
How it works
Twelve statements, four for each of the three parts, answered from 'never' to 'most days'. Each part gets a score out of 100 and the overall score is their average. The statements are written for this site. This is not the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which is a licensed and validated instrument, and the scores cannot be compared with population norms or percentiles.
What you'll get
You see whether the signs are low, moderate or strong, which part is leading, one thing to try first and the essay to read next. A strong result comes with a clear recommendation to talk to a doctor, because burnout and depression overlap and this check cannot tell them apart.
Common questions
What is burnout?
The World Health Organization describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon caused by chronic workplace stress that has not been managed. Researchers describe three parts: exhaustion, cynicism or detachment from work, and a reduced sense of effectiveness.
Is this the Maslach Burnout Inventory?
No. The Maslach Burnout Inventory is a licensed, validated instrument. This check uses its own statements about the same three dimensions, so its scores cannot be compared with MBI scores or with any population norms.
Is it burnout or depression?
They overlap a lot, and this check cannot tell them apart. Burnout is tied to work. Depression tends to affect all of life, including things you used to enjoy. If you feel low most days, see a doctor.
What should I do with a high score?
Treat it as a signal, not a diagnosis. Talk to a doctor, and look at what can change at work: workload, control and support matter more than personal discipline. If you are thinking about harming yourself, contact a crisis line now.