The Quiet Meltdown of the High Performer (and How to Outsmart It)
When you think of burnout, you might picture someone curled up on the couch, too exhausted to move. But in my practice, burnout often shows up differently.
One of my clients, a founder in his mid-30s, came to therapy feeling “off.” He was still showing up to meetings, still performing—but with a tight chest, constant irritability, and a growing urge to disappear into the woods. Classic high-functioning burnout.
For high performers, burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. It’s quieter. More insidious. And it thrives in people who are smart, driven, and constantly “on.”
How do you know it’s happening?
You overthink every message
You cancel plans with friends but scroll social media all night
You fantasize about quitting everything, but you’re not even sure what “everything” is
It’s not a flaw in your mindset. It’s a nervous system in overdrive.
In therapy, we worked on:
Re-regulating his nervous system in ways that worked for his lifestyle
Getting clear on boundaries (and actually enforcing them)
Recognizing where his identity was tied to hustle
It wasn’t overnight, but it didn’t take forever either. Within a few weeks, his stress responses softened. His decision-making got sharper. He felt more in control.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken. But ignoring it can be costly.
If you’re ready to reclaim your mental performance, let’s talk.
Your mind is your greatest asset. Let’s optimize it.
Disclaimer: Details and scenarios shared in this blog are composites drawn from clinical experience and are not based on any one individual. Identifying information has been altered or omitted to protect client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and ethical guidelines. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice or therapy.