A new study of top-earning business leaders has revealed the true cost of a high-flying career on health and wellbeing – with more than half of female execs suffering panic attacks and anxiety, and 40% using recreational drugs at least once a week.
Commissioned by The Dawn Rehab Thailand, the study of 1000 senior business leaders (539 women, 461 men) – earning annual salaries of £75,000 and above – looked at how perceived ‘high-fliers’ manage daily work pressures, and the impact of their C-suite status on life outside the boardroom.
The study found that female execs are much more likely than their male colleagues to suffer with work-related stress (78% vs. 58%) – and almost half of women in high-powered jobs (49%) have experienced burnout or exhaustion, with one in six (16%) taking up to three months off work as a result.
The majority of female respondents (69%) reported suffering from depression, with 32% experiencing severe depression. More than half of the women polled (51%) cited regular anxiety and panic attacks and 38% reported physical symptoms such as heart palpitations and headaches brought on by work stress. Furthermore, 30% said they’d had suicidal thoughts.
Around a quarter of clients treated each year at The Dawn Rehab Thailand – Asia’s only internationally accredited* behavioural health treatment centre – are from the UK*. Of these, around a third are C-suite executives, professionals or business owners, seeking help with mental health conditions including burnout and addiction.
Helen Wells, clinical director at The Dawn, said: “Many of our female clients appear to be the epitome of ‘having it all’ – on the surface only. They’ve reached the top at work and often have family commitments too. They might look like they’re successfully juggling, but they’re carrying a huge ‘mental load’ and managing an incredibly high level of responsibility – which isn’t sustainable without support, and often the support isn’t there.
“Of course, every individual is different, but often clients tell us they struggle to shut off. Rather than asking for help, or admitting how they’re feeling, they might seek ‘coping’ mechanisms instead – self-medicating mental health conditions with alcohol and drugs is very common. Often these unhealthy coping behaviours can spiral into what is known as ‘high-functioning addiction’.
“We also see just as many cases of burnout – a state of chronic physical and emotional fatigue that leads to feelings of detachment, demotivation, depression and anxiety.
“When a person is suffering burnout, they are usually at a point where they are no longer able to function in an efficient way in their personal and professional lives.
“Both high-functioning addiction and professional burnout are serious conditions that can escalate critically but the good thing is they can be treated.”
Alcohol and drug use, and other ‘coping’ behaviours
• The study found that just under a third (32%) of high-earning females in C-suite roles said they’d experienced alcohol misuse or problems with alcohol consumption. A similar number (31%) admitted to drinking during the working day and drinking alone.
• 40% of female execs said they take drugs such as cannabis and cocaine more than once a week, with 30% taking them when stressed, and the same number (30%) admitting to taking drugs during the working day.
• Reliance on other known ‘coping’ behaviours was also found to be prevalent, with 50% of female respondents using gambling, shopping and food – either overeating or bingeing – to cope with work stress; additionally, female execs were found to be more likely than their male counterparts to use sex to cope with stress (54% vs. 32%).
Impact on relationships and life outside work
• A huge 89% of female execs said work-related issues had a negative impact on their personal life, with 49% recognising they’re not always ‘present’ when with family.
• For a third of women in high-earning C-suite roles (34%), work-related issues have led to the breakdown of their relationship with their spouse or partner. And a similar number (32%) said relationships with friends and family had been damaged by work stress.
• 60% are worried about further, lasting damage to their relationships with partners, children and wider family.
Seeking help
• Reassuringly, 85% of female executives have sought help for the effects of work-related stress, consulting their GP or a healthcare professional for medical support – with over half being prescribed medication (53%) and counselling (56%).
• However, almost one in six (16%) said they haven’t shared their problems with anyone else, with 55% of those worried about damaging relationships with family and friends and a third (33%) concerned they may lose their job if they admit to mental health issues.
Mental health issues are ‘common in high-earners’ – but still no regrets?
• The vast majority (87%) of top-paid female execs believe that issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, burnout, drug and alcohol misuse are ‘common’ within their industry and among high-earners.
• Despite the heavy impact of their jobs on health and relationships, only 35% say they regret the career path they’ve chosen. More than half (58%) say they dream of ‘giving it all up’ and living a simpler life with less money and less stress.
The Dawn’s treatment philosophy is based on clinical evidence that people use substances or develop mental disorders, or other maladaptive coping mechanisms, because of trauma and/or adverse life experiences. The Dawn addresses a client’s presenting and underlying issues by employing a trauma-informed, person-centered approach.
https://thedawnrehab.com/guides/uk/uk-female-exec-mental-health-study/
