A persistent imbalance between one’s own abilities and external demands, coupled with a lack of recognition, can lead in the long term to the exhaustion of one’s own resources and to inability to perform. In some cases, the symptoms of burnout are similar to those of depression, such as persistent depression, exhaustion, feelings of failure, subjective overload, reduced performance. It is therefore important to classify exactly whether the syndrome is a depressive illness or the consequences of stressful occupational or extra-occupational activities (e.g. caring for relatives).