When High Performance Hurts: Burnout, Anxiety, and the Hidden Struggles of Driven Professionals

Dominic Schmuck, Ph.D.
May 1
4 min read

High performers like you are often admired for your ability to push through, take on more, and do it all with ease. Others tend to lean on you because to them, you don’t just keep up with life’s demands, you seem to run laps around them. But it may not feel that way to you. Beneath the high-functioning exterior, you might be silently struggling with burnout, anxiety, or an insurmountable sense that "it’s never quite enough." If you’ve ever felt like your drive is both your greatest strength and your heaviest burden, this article is for you.

The Hidden Cost of Being a High Performer

There’s a deep satisfaction that comes from setting goals and achieving them. That sense of purpose, momentum, and productivity can be incredibly energizing. But high performance can also become a coping mechanism, something you rely on to feel valuable, stay ahead of insecurity, or avoid slowing down long enough to confront difficult emotions or simply enjoy life.

You might notice this showing up as a constant need to stay busy, feeling guilty during downtime, or measuring your worth based on what you’ve accomplished recently. While these patterns can often fuel professional success, they often lead to long-term emotional depletion.

In fact, new research suggests that putting in extra effort, especially when driven by anxiety or perfectionism, can at times actually make you worse at your job, undermining the very goals you're working so hard to achieve (Harvard Business Review, 2025). It’s a paradox that many high performers face: the more anxious and driven they feel, the more they push, and the more they risk undercutting their own effectiveness.

That pressure and fear of failure doesn’t just stay at work. It can creep in as a restless tension that keeps you awake at night, makes you second-guess your decisions, or drives you to over-prepare for everything. Over time, that anxiety can evolve into full-blown burnout.

Signs of Burnout and High-Functioning Anxiety

Burnout in high performers isn’t just about feeling “tired.” It’s a form of chronic stress that affects your emotional, mental, and physical health. It can sneak up on you, especially if you're used to functioning at a high level. One day you're powering through your to-do list, and the next you're staring at your screen, unable to focus, feeling detached from your work or even from yourself.

You might find that tasks you used to enjoy now feel draining. You may feel irritable, cynical, or emotionally flat. Your sleep might suffer, or your body may start to show signs of stress such as tight muscles, headaches, or digestive issues. And yet, because you’re “doing well” on the outside, others don’t see it. That invisibility can be isolating.

Why High Performers Resist Help

Many high-functioning individuals avoid reaching out for support because they believe they should be able to manage on their own. The fear of seeming weak, vulnerable, or “not together” can be paralyzing, and it can keep you from doing what you actually need in order to feel better. You might tell yourself things like, “Other people have it harder,” “I have no reason to complain,” or “If I slow down, everything will fall apart.”

Even though you may be resisting help, the very qualities that make you successful professionally are the same ones that make you an excellent candidate for counseling or coaching. You are ready to tackle change. You are capable of self-reflection. You’re motivated to grow. And deep down, you know that continuing to push through isn’t sustainable. Choosing to work with a specialized psychologist to become the best version of yourself, both professionally and personally, may be the most impactful decision you can make right now.

Counseling Can Help You Realign Without Losing Your Edge

Counseling offers a space to untangle what’s driving your exhaustion and help you create a version of professional and personal success that is rewarding and sustainable. We can explore:

Where your perfectionism or overdrive originates
How to set meaningful boundaries that let you excel
How to regulate stress and reconnect with your purpose
Ways to improve relationships, communication, and self-trust

You don’t have to choose between being driven and being well. You can have both.

Let’s Redefine What Success Feels Like

Hi, I'm Dr. Dominic Schmuck, a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. I specialize in helping high-performing individuals move beyond survival mode and into a life of greater clarity, authenticity, and peace. Whether through therapy, counseling, or consulting, my goal is the same: to help people function at their best, without sacrificing themselves in the process. Individual and organizational well-being drives success, but success doesn’t always lead to well-being.

Dominic Schmuck, Ph.D. — Dr. Dominic Schmuck

If you are ready to take the next step, schedule a free consultation, email me at dominic@truupsychology.com, or text (385) 200-0204. You can also visit my website to learn more about my approach and how I can help you.