Talking about mental health in the workplace is important. Nobody—not even the people at the top of the business ladder—can perform their best while struggling with overwhelming stress, constant worry, and feelings of loneliness or helplessness. As mental health stigma lessens, we learn more about how depression, anxiety, and other disorders affect the professional lives of workers everywhere. This includes the people we see as confident, unwavering leaders. Learn more about common mental health disorders among business executives with this guide.
Anxiety
Running a successful business isn’t easy. Executives face immense stress and pressure from employees, partners, and their own drive and motivation. Without proper stress management, that pressure can quickly get the better of you.
Anxiety disorders come with intense feelings of dread and worry. These feelings can quickly lead to other complications like burnout, self-destructive coping mechanisms, and other mental health issues like depression, substance abuse, and addiction disorders. Business leaders who seek help for their anxiety, however, learn to better manage stress so they can handle challenges with confidence and composure.
Substance Abuse
Many substance abuse issues, such as alcoholism or drug addiction, start as maladaptive coping mechanisms. You might turn to alcohol to deal with a bad day or stressful week. This isolated behavior isn’t dangerous, but it can quickly turn into a habit that consumes your life. That’s when you develop a substance abuse disorder.
Substance abuse and other addiction disorders are common mental health disorders among business executives because of the immense stress these leaders face. However, money also plays a role in mental health, and the wealth you accumulate as a successful entrepreneur can make it easier to fuel your addiction.
Depression
There are many different causes of depression. For business leaders, challenges like isolation, burnout, and poor stress management can lead to feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness associated with depression. You might also feel like you’re not accomplishing enough or that nobody understands your unique position as the leader of your company. Seeking support from loved ones or a mental health professional helps you recognize these false thoughts for what they are, which in turn helps you build a more positive outlook on your life.
