burned out
1. describing an individual who is mentally, emotionally, or physically exhausted or overwhelmed. See burnout. 2. historically, describing individuals with chronic schizophrenia who are apathetic and withdrawn, and show progressive deterioration, with little hope of significant improvement, personal growth, or adaptive functioning. In this pejorative sense, the term is rarely used today, especially in light of research indicating that individuals with schizophrenia can improve functioning.