Is It Burnout or Freeze Mode? How to Tell the Difference and What to Do About It

Feeling exhausted, unmotivated, and unable to cope? You might call it burnout — but sometimes what looks like burnout is actually freeze mode, a nervous system response to overwhelm. Distinguishing between the two matters, because the path forward looks different for each.

Burnout: The Fire That Runs Out

Burnout is often the result of prolonged stress without adequate recovery. It’s common in workplaces, but can also happen in relationships or caregiving. Symptoms include fatigue, cynicism, and a sense of depletion. The body and mind are overextended and need restoration.

Freeze Mode: The Body’s Emergency Brake

Freeze mode looks similar but comes from a different place. When the nervous system senses too much threat, it shuts down as a way of protecting you. Instead of feeling stressed and overactive, you feel numb, stuck, or detached. Unlike burnout, freeze isn’t about running out of energy — it’s about your body putting on the brakes.

Why the Difference Matters

If you treat freeze like burnout, you may push yourself harder, deepening the shutdown. If you treat burnout like freeze, you may withdraw more when what you actually need is gentle activation. Therapy helps you notice the difference, listen to your body’s cues, and respond with compassion.

Therapy in North Sydney

At my therapy practice in North Sydney, I work with people navigating both burnout and freeze. Therapy provides tools to regulate your nervous system, restore energy, and move forward in ways that feel sustainable. You don’t have to figure it out alone.