A communications professional has shared her experience of experiencing two mental health breakdowns by the age of 31, highlighting the serious impact of chronic overwork and burnout, particularly among women in high-pressure careers.

Starting her career in public relations shortly after graduating during the 2008 recession, the woman, now aged 39, quickly found herself immersed in demanding roles that encouraged excessive working hours and blurred boundaries between professional and personal life. Early on, expectations to start early, stay late, and remain constantly available shaped her work routine. Her ambition propelled her to take on increasing responsibilities, including managing a team and advising executive leadership at a prominent British firm.

Despite outward success marked by promotions and positive feedback, she struggled with persistent exhaustion, anxiety, and physical symptoms such as insomnia and panic attacks. She describes reaching a breaking point in the summer of 2017 when she found herself unable to enter her workplace, overwhelmed by exhaustion and stress. Although she took a short break and sought therapy, she initially returned to work without making significant changes. Less than a year later, amid escalating panic and despair, she was forced to take an extended leave after a second breakdown.

During this period, she was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and began a treatment plan that included therapy and medication. This shift allowed her to reconnect with her identity outside of work and to reevaluate her relationship with professional ambition and self-worth. Eventually, she chose to take redundancy following a company restructure, prioritizing her mental health over career advancement.

Now working as an ethical business coach, she focuses on helping women adopt healthier work habits and regain balance. She highlights that women often feel compelled to overwork both to be taken seriously in male-dominated environments and due to social conditioning that discourages saying no. Her message emphasizes that success does not require self-sacrifice to the point of burnout, and that life should not be dominated by a job that undermines well-being.

Her story resonates amidst growing awareness of workplace stress and mental health challenges. Recently, Green MP Carla Denyer announced a leave of absence citing burnout after a decade in politics, underscoring the issue’s reach across professions.

This account serves as a cautionary example of the hidden costs of overwork and the importance of recognizing early signs of burnout. It also highlights the need for supportive workplace cultures that balance high performance with employee health and sustainability.