Burnout Test — Are You Burned Out?

What Is Burnout?

Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged workplace stress. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified burnout as an "occupational phenomenon" in the ICD-11. It is characterized by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (feeling drained), depersonalization or cynicism (detachment from work), and reduced personal accomplishment or inefficacy (feeling ineffective).

Burnout vs. Stress

Stress and burnout are related but different. Stress is characterized by overengagement — too much pressure, too many demands, but you still feel that if you could just get everything under control, things would be fine. Burnout, by contrast, is characterized by disengagement — you feel empty, hopeless, and beyond caring. Stress produces urgency and hyperactivity; burnout produces helplessness and detachment. Stress can kill you physically, but burnout can make you feel like life is not worth living.

Recovery Tips

Recovery from burnout requires changes at both the individual and organizational level. Start by setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Prioritize sleep, exercise, and nutrition. Reconnect with activities and people that bring you joy outside of work. Consider speaking with a therapist who specializes in occupational stress. At work, communicate your limits, delegate where possible, and focus on tasks that give you a sense of accomplishment. Full recovery can take weeks to months, so be patient with yourself.

How Scoring Works

This test assesses three burnout dimensions with 5 questions each, scored 0-4 per question. Each dimension has a maximum score of 20, and the total maximum is 60. Higher scores indicate greater burnout risk. Scores are interpreted for each dimension individually and as a combined total.