What High-Functioning Burnout Actually Looks Like
When we picture someone experiencing burnout, we often imagine a person who can no longer cope. They’re missing deadlines, calling in sick, making mistakes, or openly saying that they’re overwhelmed. But it doesn’t always look like someone is falling apart. Some of the people experiencing significant burnout are still arriving at work every morning, leading teams, hitting targets, raising families, exercising, answering emails, and appearing completely capable. This is often described as high-functioning burnout. While it isn’t a formal clinical diagnosis, the term describes something psychologists regularly see – someone who continues to function at a high level externally while paying an increasingly significant psychological and physical price internally. This is what a typical day might look like: 6am – The Day Starts Before You Even Get Out of Bed Alarm goes off at 6:00, but you’re already awake. Your first instinct is to reach for your phone. Before getting out of bed, you’...