Mental Health Movement by Dr. Jake Goodman

Your Brain Fog Might Actually Be Burnout

A recent Substack post explains that the common complaint of "brain fog" is often a manifestation of burnout rather than a neurological disease. The author, a psychiatrist, describes how prolonged high workloads, minimal breaks, and chronic stress overload the brain’s focus centers, leading to slower thinking, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue. He differentiates burnout from dementia, long‑COVID, and depression, noting that relief typically follows stepping away from work. The piece outlines a clinical framework that emphasizes recovery, boundaries, and structured downtime over medication.