[thomastjeffery]

Logical operators are failing us in this discussion, so I'll try restructuring it:

Your boss can be your friend, and prioritize their job over your friendship.

It's easy to get into a social position where we place too much trust into friendship driving the decisions people make.

Like you said, replacing that trust with distrust can block you, not only from the negative opportunities we want to avoid (like your boss firing you for burnout), but also the positive opportunities (like your boss helping you overcome the burnout).

It would be really convenient if either one of these choices (trust vs. distrust) was a clear winner, but it looks like neither of them is intrinsically better.

The silver lining is that your relationship with your boss isn't the only or most important relationship your can have. Even if you don't have the opportunity to get help from your boss to deal with your burnout, you can still seek help from others. Some people, like trained therapists, are well equipped and motivated to help.