In my case I wouldn't describe the feeling as burnout as much as PTSD. Without the P of course, because it's ongoing since ever and will go on for ever and ever

In my case I wouldn't describe the feeling as burnout as much as PTSD. Without the P of course, because it's ongoing since ever and will go on for ever and ever and ever :) Worst thing in software development is the constant bombardment of the unexpected. There's not a single God-given day in this job that shit just runs smoothly. Always, usually when least expecting it, there's a "wtf is this shit?!!" moment, followed of course by "I must absolutely solve this completely unexpected and incidental thing which popped up that I've no idea how it works or why it happens but can't do any progress on my regular task before I figure this out". A few years of this are enough to send any normal people to the nuthouse or out of the field. Yet, some of us endure it for decades. Seemingly without being affected. Seemingly ... because underneath there's a raging traumatic stress disorder we try to keep in check :)