When Success Feels Like Survival: The Executive Mental Health Crisis We Don’t Talk About

By Valeria Torres | Corporate Psychologist & Executive Consultant

I remember the moment it hit me.

I had just finished back-to-back consulting calls with law firm owners, had three strategy decks open, a flight to catch, and a notebook full of ideas I never had time to finish. From the outside? I looked like I was crushing it.
But inside, my heart was racing for no reason, my mind wouldn’t shut off, and I couldn’t remember the last time I had a full night of sleep.

That night, I sat alone in a hotel room and googled:
“Why can’t I turn my brain off even when I’m exhausted?”

The results? ADHD. Anxiety. High-functioning burnout.
And suddenly, I didn’t feel like a high-performing executive. I felt like a human being who was barely holding it together.

I’m not just speaking as a psychologist—I’m speaking as someone who has lived this.

The Executive Mask

In corporate spaces, we celebrate the go-getters. The first-to-arrive, last-to-leave. The ones who make decisions under pressure, build empires, and always seem in control.

But what no one sees is what happens when the doors close:

• The racing thoughts.
• The half-finished projects.
• The constant pressure to perform.
• The exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix.

I’ve worked with leaders who are brilliant, visionary, and deeply respected—yet behind the scenes, they’re navigating undiagnosed ADHD, chronic anxiety, and emotional fatigue.

They’re not failing.
They’re surviving.
And they’re doing it silently—because somewhere along the way, we were taught that vulnerability is weakness.

Let’s Talk About the Real Stats

• Over 15 million adults in the U.S. have ADHD—many without knowing it.
• More than 50% of adults with ADHD also suffer from anxiety.
• According to the Center for Creative Leadership, 80% of executives say work is their #1 stressor.
• 60% of CEOs report feeling lonely in their role (Harvard Business Review).
• And 81% of leaders say talking about mental health could hurt their professional image.

What happens when that silence becomes standard?

You get turnover. Burnout. Leaders who feel hollow inside.
Companies that run on productivity, but lack emotional intelligence.

So Here’s the Truth:

You can be successful and overwhelmed.
You can be admired and anxious.
You can lead others and still need help yourself.

We need to normalize both.

Leadership doesn’t mean never struggling—it means knowing when to ask for support. It means recognizing when you’ve been pushing too hard for too long. And it means understanding that your mental health isn’t just personal—it’s a professional priority.

What Help Can Look Like:

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. But healing often begins with:

• Diagnosis: Get assessed if you suspect ADHD, anxiety, or burnout.
• Therapy: Talk with someone who understands high-pressure leadership.
• Medication or Treatment Plans: When appropriate, it changes lives.
• Systems and Structure: Create a workflow that supports how your brain works.
• Boundaries: Not everything is urgent. Start acting like it.
• Community: You don’t have to do this alone.

And Most Importantly: Start With This Sentence

“I’m tired. I need help.”

That sentence changed my trajectory. It helped me step into real leadership—one rooted in self-awareness, sustainability, and courage.

The kind of leadership we need more of in this world.

If this hit home, you’re not alone.
Let’s build a new definition of success—one that includes mental wellness, emotional integrity, and leaders who have the courage to be human.