Am I Burned Out, Traumatized, or Just Tired?

You wake up exhausted, even after eight hours of sleep. The smallest things make you irritable. You’re questioning if it’s the job—or if it’s just you.

Here’s the truth: burnout, secondary trauma, and chronic stress can all look and feel like “just being tired”—but they’re not. Burnout is emotional exhaustion from ongoing demands. Secondary trauma is the cost of witnessing others' suffering day after day. And traumatic stress is what happens when your body and mind stay stuck in survival mode. If you’re a first responder or helping professional, this isn’t weakness. It’s exposure.

You’re not lazy. You’re carrying too much. Healing starts when you name it.

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Why You’re Not Broken: The Science Behind Your Reactions to Trauma

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5 Signs It’s Time to Talk to a Therapist (Even If You Think You’re Fine)