Burnout Test — Are You Burned Out?
Assess your burnout risk across three key dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. 15 questions, takes about 3 minutes. Your answers are 100% private and never leave your browser.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is burnout a medical condition?
The WHO classifies burnout as an "occupational phenomenon" in the ICD-11, not as a medical condition. However, it is a recognized syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It can lead to medical conditions like depression and anxiety if left untreated.
Can burnout cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Burnout can manifest physically as chronic fatigue, insomnia, headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal problems, weakened immune system, and increased susceptibility to illness. The mind-body connection means that prolonged emotional exhaustion takes a real physical toll.
How long does it take to recover from burnout?
Recovery time varies widely depending on severity and what changes you make. Mild burnout may improve in a few weeks with rest and boundary-setting. Severe burnout can take months to over a year of sustained recovery effort, therapy, and often significant work changes.
Is my data private?
Yes. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server. We do not collect, store, or transmit your responses. When you close the page, your answers are gone.
What causes burnout?
Burnout typically results from a combination of factors: excessive workload, lack of control over work, insufficient reward or recognition, breakdown of community at work, unfair treatment, and value conflicts. It is not simply about working too many hours — it is about a mismatch between a person and their job across multiple dimensions.
How can I prevent burnout?
Prevention strategies include setting clear work-life boundaries, taking regular breaks, saying no to excessive demands, maintaining social connections, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and periodically reassessing whether your work aligns with your values and provides meaning.