Mom life can be beautiful and fulfilling, but being a mother can also be stressful and can take a toll on mental health and contribute to burnout and depression. This is especially true for women who are also balancing motherhood with their working life and any other roles they may occupy. As Depression Awareness month comes to a close, the topic of depression has been at the forefront of various mental health communities. More specifically, the growing number of working women who are reporting experiencing symptoms commonly associated with depression or who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. According to a recent survey, approximately 42% of working mothers have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression. In some cases, some of the respondents were diagnosed with both. These statistics are significantly higher than those of the general population, which hover around 28% and those of their male counterparts which are about 35%.

The rate of depression among women began to climb in 2022 and has steadily increased. In fact, a May 2025 Harris Poll found that women are less likely than men to report feeling positive about their mental health. The same study revealed various factors that contribute to this long-standing gender gap include hormonal fluctuations and social and economic influences. Previous polls have found that other factors such as the pandemic, financial stress, and the weight of both professional and domestic responsibilities also contribute to these high rates of mental health struggles among working women. A similar study found that almost 30% of working mothers met the criteria for depression in the postpartum period, with the rate rising to over 39% among those in commercial enterprises. Although depression and burn-out can both feel overwhelming and daunting, understanding how they differ, along with their causes and potential solutions, can make all the difference in decompressing, de-stressing, and getting help.

Burnout and depression share some similarities, and researchers continue to study exactly how they overlap and differ. Some say that burnout and depression are two different unrelated conditions. While others argue that burnout is a possible form of depression. Either way, the current approach to diagnosis and treatment works a little differently for each one. Burnout is characterized by extreme physical and emotional exhaustion, a decrease in self-fulfillment, and a recurring feeling like the person is detached from their current situation. It’s important to keep in mind that burnout can impact anyone — from an overworked employee to a stay-at-home parent. You may think of it as an internal problem, but cultural forces contribute to burnout as well.

"Burnout is usually portrayed as a person’s individual issue, but it's deeply rooted in larger societal norms that promote overworking and praise going the extra mile," says Jennifer Mullan, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist.

External stimuli (e.g., an over-extended work, family, and social schedule, financial insecurity, health issues, lack of self-care) typically cause burnout — and in most cases, if the source of chronic stress goes away, the feelings of burnout resolve.

Depression on the other hand is a common and serious medical condition that negatively affects how you feel, behave and think. It can make it hard to get out of bed and difficult to find joy or satisfaction in the things that were once pleasurable. Depression can also include constantly wrestling with negative thoughts about oneself and others, and find it difficult to see the bright side of things.

Genetics, a chemical imbalance, a mood regulation problem in the brain, or any combination of the three can cause depression. Traumatic life events — such as the death of a loved one, divorce or job loss — can also trigger depression, but unlike burnout, there isn't necessarily an external stimulus.

"Depression can happen even when everything feels 'fine,' and there are no apparent life stressors or issues," Dr. Mullan says.

A psychiatrist, counselor, therapist, or another licensed mental health professional can make depression diagnosis and potentially prescribe antidepressant medication as treatment. While burnout and depression can look similar, some key differences can help distinguish between the two. According to experts, burnout often looks like social fatigue, feeling down, reduced work performance, difficulty concentrating at work and at home, agitation, physical problems like frequent headaches, and the dreaded “mom guilt.”

However, depression can present as the following:

• Hopelessness
• Low self-esteem and self-confidence
• Self-blame and guilt
• Loss of appetite
• Crying more often than usual
• Anger or range
• Fear that you will hurt your baby
• Reoccurring thoughts about death, suicide or self-harm

One of the more significant differences between depression and burnout is that burnout typically only impacts how a person feels about and handles the source of their stress. For example, if a woman is experiencing mom burnout and notices that they’re having more negative thoughts, they will likely only about their responsibilities as a parent. Whereas if a mon is depressed, they will also experience negative thoughts about other areas of their life. Unfortunately, burnout and depression are far more common among moms than some might think, and the risk factors for both can be complex. That said, some risk factors for burnout include:

• Gender. About 68 percent of women report feeling burned out compared to only 42 percent of men.
• Lack of support and resources. Burned out moms might not ask for or get the help they need from the people around them. Likewise, limited access to childcare, tutoring, after-school programs and the like — resources that give moms a break — can contribute to burnout as well.
• History of mental health challenges. Perhaps not surprisingly, 77% of parents with anxiety (past or present) reported burnout in an Ohio State University survey Opens a new window.
• Having a child diagnosed with a learning difference or mental health disorder. Almost 80% of parents with a child diagnosed with ADHD and 73% of parents with a child diagnosed with anxiety report experiencing burnout.
• Number of children. Mothers with more than one child are more likely to experience burnout.
• Systemic problems. Moms who experience chronic stress and trauma due to factors such as race, first language, religion, sexuality, socio-economic status or ability may be more at risk for burnout, research suggests.
• Personality type. People who are very driven and deal with perfectionism have higher rates of burnout.

Depression shares some risk factors with burnout, such as a lack of social support and resources, gender, and socio-economic status. In fact, mothers living in poverty are more likely to be diagnosed with maternal depression than other moms. Women are also twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. But depression also has some physiological risk factors, such as the hormonal changes that women experience immediately after giving birth that can contribute to postpartum depression (PPD).

Additional risk factors for developing maternal or postpartum depression that do not overlap with burnout include:

• Gestational diabetes
• Obesity
• Age (having a baby over 35 years of age)
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Postpartum sleep issues
• Postpartum anemia
• Exposure to violence and abuse
• Alcohol or substance abuse disorder
• Poor health before pregnancy
• A negative pregnancy or delivery experience

If a working mom thinks they are burned out, there are active steps they can take to feel better:

• Consider your priorities. Is your schedule riddled with conflicting obligations from carpools to work meetings to Target runs? Take some time to list out the things that take up your day and weigh on your mind. Then write out what you would ideally spend your time and energy on based on your goals and values.
• Address sources of stress. You cannot change certain parts of your life, but you can consider ways to reduce potential stressors. If money is tight, is it possible to look for a better-paying job or budget differently?
• Ask for help — and take it. "Don’t only ask for help, but allow yourself to receive that support," Dr. Mullan says. "Grocery shopping, emotional support, babysitting, paid time off — all of it. Tell a partner, friend or family member what might help."
• Monotask. Instead of multitasking, focus on one thing at a time when you can.
• Be proactive in preventing stress. Engage in activities that bring you happiness. Maybe it’s yoga, painting or running. Whatever it is, do it consistently and regularly.
• Connect with others. Sometimes a good vent goes a long way, especially with another mom who can relate to some of your experiences. "Join a virtual or in-person support group for mothers," Dr. Mullan says. "Knowing you’re not the only mom having these experiences is vital and deeply useful."

If your depression symptoms aren't fleeting or in response to a particular stressor and they're causing disruption in your life, it's time to take action. "Do not minimize depression symptoms," Dr. Mullan says. "Asking for support prior to your depression becoming severe or a danger to yourself or to your children is critical."

Here are a few things you can do if you think you may be depressed:

• Talk to someone. Discussing your symptoms with a partner, family member, or friend can help you feel supported.
• See a professional. Seeing a mental health professional as part of depression treatment is standard and nothing to be ashamed of. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist can confirm a diagnosis and put together a treatment plan that fits your specific needs.
• Get regular exercise. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which can provide a welcome relief from depression symptoms. So, if possible, consider going for a run, a bike ride, or any form of exercise that you typically enjoy.
• Get enough rest, but not too much. When dealing with depression, it’s important to get adequate rest without staying in bed too long, which can exacerbate symptoms.
• Skip alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and drinking it when you’re already feeling low can drag your mood down more.
• Eat well. Research has found that a healthy diet significantly reduces the risk of developing depressive symptoms.
• Surround yourself with the people who make you happy. Lean on those who make you feel joy and create a sense of calm in your life.