Depression, burnout, broken relationships and addiction – new research reveals the price of success for UK’s top earners
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Almost three quarters of C-suite execs suffer from depression, finds study
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One in three (37%) admit to weekly use of recreational drugs
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A third (35%) say their relationship with alcohol is problematic – with 64% of 45-54-year-old bosses turning to drink during the working day
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Half of male leaders say work pressures led to split with partner
A new study of top-earning UK business leaders has revealed the true cost of a high-flying career on health and wellbeing – with more than half of execs suffering panic attacks and anxiety, and over a third using recreational drugs at least once a week.
Commissioned by The Dawn Rehab Thailand, the study of 1000 senior business leaders – 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.
More than two thirds (69%) of respondents, which included an even split of men and women across all industry sectors, said they suffer with work-related stress, and over half (54%) have experienced burnout or exhaustion – with one in six (16%) taking up to three months off work as a result.
The majority of respondents (74%) reported suffering from depression, with 34% experiencing severe depression. More than half (54%) cited regular anxiety and panic attacks and 47% reported physical symptoms such as heart palpitations and headaches brought on by work stress. Furthermore, over a quarter (29%) 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.
Alexandria Barley, senior psychotherapist at The Dawn, said: “Many of our clients have reached the top of their game at work – handling multi-million-pound deals, leading teams and strategies for global corporations. And while everything looks great on the outside, they are really struggling internally. Of course, every individual is different, with a different set of circumstances, but we often find that outwardly successful clients end up ‘masking’ their feelings and conditions such as depression and anxiety.
“Many of the traits that ensure someone succeeds to the top rung of the career ladder – being highly-motivated, having laser focus and relentless commitment – can mean that when they’re out of the office, they struggle to shut off, and rather than addressing how they might be feeling – anxious, overworked, depressed – they seek ‘coping’ mechanisms instead, so 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
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The study found that more than a third (35%) of high earners in C-suite roles said they’d experienced alcohol misuse or problems with alcohol consumption – this rose to 47% of those earning £200,000 a year or more and 52% of all 45–54-year-olds surveyed. Around two thirds (64%) of 45-54-year-olds admitted to drinking during the working day, with 55% of the same age group saying they drink alone.
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Recreational drug use is also highest among 45-54-year-old execs – 55% said they take drugs such as cannabis and cocaine more than once a week, with 54% taking them when stressed, and 57% admitting to taking drugs during the working day.
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Reliance on other known ‘coping’ behaviours, including gambling, overeating, shopping and sex was also found to be prevalent: 46% of respondents have used gambling to cope with work stress; 63% reported overeating or bingeing – rising to 77% of male execs; and 57% and 44% have used shopping and sex respectively, as stress relievers – with female execs more likely to look to sex to cope with stress (54% vs. 32%).
Impact on relationships and life outside work
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A huge 87% of those surveyed said work-related issues had a negative impact on their personal life, with half recognising they’re not always ‘present’ when with family.
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For 41% (and 50% of male execs), it led to the breakdown of their relationship with their spouse or partner. And around one in three (30%) said work-related issues had broken relationships with friends and family.
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Nearly two thirds (61%) are worried about further, lasting damage to their relationships with partners, children and wider family.
Seeking help
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Reassuringly, 85% of executives have sought help for the effects of work-related stress, consulting their GP or a healthcare professional for medical support – with half being prescribed medication (50%) and therapy (50%).
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However, almost one in five (19%) said they haven’t shared their problems with anyone else, with 54% of those worried about damaging relationships with family and friends and 47% 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?
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The vast majority (86%) of top-paid execs believe that issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, burnout, drug and alcohol misuse are ‘common’ within their industry and among high-earners.
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Despite the heavy impact of their jobs on health and relationships, only 39% say they regret the career path they’ve chosen. Just over half (52%) 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.
The report is available to download in full (from 10th October):
https://thedawnrehab.com/guides/uk-professionals-mental-health-study-2023/
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