Why High Achievers Resist Help-Until It Might Be Too Late

"High-achieving professionals are among the least likely groups to seek psychological or emotional support, despite facing elevated levels of stress, burnout, and health risk. Research consistently shows that individuals in high-responsibility roles delay help-seeking longer than the general population, often waiting until symptoms begin to affect health, relationships, or job performance. By the time support feels unavoidable, the personal and professional cost is often far greater than it needed to be."

"To explore why this pattern persists and how it can be interrupted earlier, I interviewed Kenny Stoddart, a former corporate executive and recovery and performance specialist who now works with high-achieving professionals to help them intervene before a crisis becomes the catalyst for change. His work offers a closer look at how success itself can become a barrier to support, and why addressing strain sooner may be one of the most strategic decisions high achievers can make."

"Self-reliance is often celebrated as a defining strength of high achievers. Just consider how many professionals pride themselves on being the one who absorbs pressure, solves problems, and keeps moving without complaint. But research indicates that this mindset often delays recognition of risk. Studies on burnout and help-seeking behavior show that individuals in high-responsibility roles are more likely to internalize stress, normalize chronic overload, and postpone support-particularly when professional identity and perceived competence are at stake."

High-achieving professionals are among the least likely groups to seek psychological or emotional support despite elevated stress, burnout, and health risk. Research shows individuals in high-responsibility roles delay help-seeking longer than the general population and often wait until symptoms affect health, relationships, or job performance. By the time support feels unavoidable, personal and professional costs are often much greater. Kenny Stoddart, a former corporate executive and recovery and performance specialist, works with high-achieving professionals to help them intervene before crises become catalysts for change. Self-reliance and visible success can conceal internal strain, normalize chronic overload, and mute early warning signs.

Read at Psychology Today