Depression, grief and burnout: What do these terms mean?
Can I seek help even if I cannot explain my symptoms?
You do not need to know the right label before asking for a conversation. Describe what has changed and ask for an assessment. Our professional support guide explains possible starting points.
General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
Sources & editorial status
- IQWiG · InformedHealth.org: Depression ↗
Plain-language overview. Used for terminology, symptoms and course.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 2 ↗
German-language clinical guideline. Used for diagnostic assessment and the limitations of questionnaires.
- German federal health portal: Coping with grief (in German) ↗
German federal health portal: grief and prolonged grief disorder; used for terminology. German-language source. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- WHO: Burnout as an occupational phenomenon ↗
WHO explanation of ICD-11 classification: burnout in its occupational context. Primary source. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- IQWiG: What is burnout? ↗
Patient information explaining burnout terminology and its distinction from other conditions. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
Compiled from an existing article: 31 October 2026. Source comparison in the article: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance; independent medical review is pending. Editorial compilation; independent medical expert review has not taken place.
Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Known limitations and the use of each source are explained alongside the reference. A source-comparison date is not the publication date of the original source.