Many people seek therapy because even those considered high achievers can struggle with depression, marital discord, parenting difficulties, and stress. While most high achievers seek professional help, a few problems are prevalent among those who have reached such heights.
Top Mental Health Challenges of High Achievers
One study, in particular, examined the mental health problems of high achievers in top-performing schools in New York. The researchers concluded that high levels of chronic stress negatively affect academic performance, mental health functioning, and the promotion of risky behavior for some subgroups of young people. Consequently, this stress appears to remain throughout the college years and may contribute to academic disengagement and mental health concerns among developing adults. Whether you’re a student or an employee, high achievers are still prone to mental health problems. Below are the leading mental health issues that New York's high achievers face.
1. Chronic Stress. High achievers may look well put together but have several insecurities behind the scenes. Perfectionism, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and anxiety, are common among high achievers. Constantly trying to achieve an almost unachievable objective while living in continual fear of failure may be stressful. More often than not, high achievers will push through difficulties and continue to improve. To get the job done, people sacrifice their own needs and develop harmful coping methods.
2. Anxiety. New York City is packed with high achievers and goal-setters who never let up in their pursuit of excellence. Even when they accomplish incredible feats, they continuously look for ways to better themselves. Because of this, high achievers often feel that they are falling short in their work, education, relationships, and the never-ending quest for self-improvement.
Anxiety can show itself in ways that make people feel like they have no say in their life or what happens to them when things get too hectic to handle. For some, anxiety arises when they get preoccupied with ensuring that everything goes smoothly to the point that they neglect themselves.
3. Depression. Most high achievers tend to be perfectionists and often hate it when things don’t go their way. When their perfectionism reaches a clinically relevant level, they can experience depressive symptoms. People of all ages can feel useless and even suicidal if they have the habit of accepting nothing less than perfection in themselves and others.
Although high achievers excel at their jobs the most, they are still prone to mental health problems and are actually the most susceptible ones. If you are a high achiever and you are feeling overwhelmed with the loads of responsibilities, and towering expectations you need to meet, it may be time to pause and take a break.
We at Uncover Mental Health Counseling in NYC are ready to talk you through how you can overcome the mental health struggles you are dealing with. Reach out to us. We help high achievers uncover a life of ease.
