What I've noticed about high achievers

Specialist CBT therapy for anxiety, OCD, depression and more in West London

A person can be competent, conscientious and outwardly successful while also feeling relentlessly under pressure. They may be working long hours, checking decisions repeatedly, struggling to switch off, or worrying that one mistake will expose them as inadequate. That pattern can be painful, but a blog should not assume that someone who achieves highly is anxious, perfectionistic, burnt out or unwell. Outward success and inner wellbeing do not map neatly onto each other. Some people find that standards have become unusually rigid. Others are mainly struggling with comparison, a change at work, sleep loss, a health issue, grief, financial pressure, a difficult relationship, discrimination, a demanding role or a long commute. There can be many reasons for feeling exhausted or driven. An assessment is the place to understand what matters for the individual rather than turning a recognisable professional story into a diagnosis. Physical symptoms also need care. Tension, sleep changes, digestive symptoms, chest discomfort, fatigue or changes in concentration should not automatically be attributed to anxiety or work stress. If symptoms are new, severe, persistent or worrying, an appropriate medical assessment is important. If CBT is appropriate, work can explore the interaction between thoughts, emotions, body responses, behaviour, relationships and the demands of a person’s life. It may include noticing how standards are set, how rest is interpreted, what happens after a perceived mistake, and which choices still reflect the person’s values. Behavioural work is planned collaboratively, not prescribed from a blog, and it should not put a person’s health, safety, employment or responsibilities at risk. The aim is not to make someone less ambitious or to promise that pressure will disappear. It may be to help them decide what is sustainable, make room for uncertainty, recognise costs that have been overlooked or respond to difficult moments with more flexibility. Progress varies and is reviewed over time. For related information, read about <a href="/therapy/anxiety/">CBT for anxiety</a>, <a href="/therapy/perfectionism/">CBT for perfectionism</a> and the <a href="/guides/cbt for perfectionism/">perfectionism clinical guide</a>. The Lyceum Clinic offers assessment led CBT online and in West London, and a first conversation can help clarify what support may be appropriate.