Success is beautiful. For high-achieving women like you, success can open up incredible opportunities. It gives you access to resources, influential people, financial freedom, and a lifestyle many dream of. It’s the feeling of knowing you’ve accomplished your goals and built a life you’re proud of. But what happens when the success that once fueled your ambition starts to feel like a heavy burden?
You’re not alone if you’ve felt overwhelmed by the demands of your career, personal life, or even the expectations you place on yourself. Many high-achieving women experience this, and it’s more common than you might think. Success can feel amazing, but it can also come with its pressures—pressures that can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even sad. And if you’ve felt this way, I want you to know it’s okay. You’re not failing; you’re human. Let’s explore how the pressure to succeed can impact your mental health, why it’s crucial to recognize signs of depression and suicidal thoughts, and how to regain balance before the weight of success pulls you under.
The Hidden Pressure of Being a Successful Woman: For high-achieving professional women, the pressure to maintain success is relentless. Let’s be honest: with success comes high expectations, right? People expect you to keep excelling, keep going, and keep outperforming. Maybe you even expect that from yourself. The pressure to “always be on” can feel suffocating after a while. You might even find yourself asking, “What happens if I fail? What if I can’t keep this up? What if I make a mistake?” What happens if I’m not perfect all the time?” This fear of failure is real; the pressure can turn into chronic stress and anxiety, especially when you feel like you’re always one step away from losing everything you’ve worked so hard for. Sound familiar?
Then there’s imposter syndrome, that nagging feeling that maybe you’re not as capable as everyone thinks. Even when you’re achieving incredible things, you might feel like you don’t truly deserve the success. These thoughts can slowly erode your self-esteem and leave you feeling more anxious than accomplished.
Recognizing When Success Is Hurting Your Mental Health: It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of high achievement, but when success takes a toll on your mental health, it’s time to pay attention. I know you’re strong, and I know you’re capable of pushing through challenges. But I want you to take a moment to check in with yourself. As a psychologist working with high-achieving women, I often see depression and suicidal thoughts hidden behind a smile and a “perfect” life. Sometimes, amid all this success, depression or even suicidal thoughts can quietly slip in. They don’t always show up in obvious ways, but here are a few things to look out for:
- Constant Sadness or Hopelessness: Do you ever feel like you’re carrying a weight around with you, even when things are going well on the outside? That persistent sadness, like a cloud you can’t shake, could be a sign that you’re dealing with more than stress.
- Losing Interest in What You Love: Maybe you used to find joy in your work or personal projects, but lately, it feels like you’re just going through the motions. That spark of passion seems to have dimmed.
- Exhaustion: Success takes energy, but if you’re feeling completely physically and mentally drained no matter how much sleep you get, that could be a sign that something deeper is going on.
- Feeling Disconnected: Have you noticed that you’re pulling away from friends, family, or colleagues? Maybe you feel isolated or like you’re going through life on autopilot. That sense of disconnection can be an early warning sign of depression.
- Thoughts of Suicide: If you’ve ever had moments where you think, “I just can’t keep doing this,” or even had fleeting thoughts of ending your life, please know that you’re not alone in this. These thoughts are serious, and there’s help available.
- It’s Okay to Ask for Help: I know it can feel scary or even shameful to admit you’re struggling. After all, you’ve built a life many admire, right? But success doesn’t mean you have to carry the world on your shoulders. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re taking care of yourself. And that’s one of the bravest things you can do.
How to Lighten the Load and Prioritize Your Mental Health:
- Acknowledge Your Feelings:
- Take a moment to be honest with yourself about how you’re feeling. It’s okay to admit that the pressure is getting to you. Acknowledging what’s going on inside is a powerful first step.
- Reach Out for Support:
- Whether you talk to a trusted friend or family member or seek professional help from a therapist, sharing what you’re going through can lift a massive weight off your shoulders. You don’t have to go through this alone.
- Set Boundaries:
- Success doesn’t mean you have to be everything to everyone all the time. It’s okay to say no, take a break, or step back from responsibilities that weigh you down.
- Create a Plan for Support:
- If you’ve had thoughts of harming yourself, please know that help is available. Creating a plan, like having a list of emergency contacts or coping strategies, can give you a sense of safety during difficult times.
- Consider Professional Help:
- Therapy can offer a safe space to explore what’s happening in your life and give you the tools to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Working with a psychologist can help you navigate these challenges and reclaim a sense of balance.
You Deserve Peace, Too: Success is beautiful, and you deserve every bit of the life you’ve built. But that doesn’t mean it has to come at the cost of your mental health. You can have success and peace—you don’t have to choose one over the other. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of it all, I want you to know it’s okay to slow down, ask for help, and take care of yourself. By prioritizing your mental health, you’ll find that success feels lighter, more fulfilling, and more aligned with the life you truly want to live.
If you’re ready to talk about how the pressures of success are impacting your mental health or if you need help recognizing the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts, reach out. As a psychologist specializing in helping high-achieving women, I’m here to support you in finding balance, peace, and fulfillment.
I am a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles and offer complimentary 15-minute initial consultations. If you are a professional woman seeking counseling, you may click here to schedule an appointment.