In a world that idolizes achievement, what if the greatest threat to success isn’t failure—but the invisible weight that comes with winning?
Success is often portrayed as the ultimate triumph, a beacon of fulfillment and stability. Yet, beneath the accolades and public admiration lies a profound burden that can erode mental well-being, leading to common mental health challenges for successful people like burnout in high achievers, imposter syndrome in executives, and anxiety in leaders. These challenges can rise to the level of mental illness, underscoring the seriousness of their impact. As seen in the stories of legendary figures—famous people such as college football coaches Nick Saban and Mike Gundy, and billionaire innovator Howard Hughes—these examples illustrate how “too much” success can amplify psychological pressures, affecting the personal lives of even the most accomplished individuals and resulting in complacency, over-responsibility, isolation, and even severe mental health issues. Notably, several actors who have won an Academy Award have also faced significant mental health issues, demonstrating that even the highest achievements do not shield one from such struggles.
By examining these cases and drawing parallels to the mental health struggles of modern leaders in organizations, we uncover the critical role of psychiatry and psychology in mitigating these issues—and why accessible mental health facilities, including telepsychiatry for professionals, are essential, even for those who seem to “have it all.” This article aims to shed light on how success and mental health intersect, encouraging greater understanding and open dialogue about these important issues. Sharing personal experiences helps destigmatize mental health struggles, fostering empathy and support. More celebrities are now open about their mental health struggles, using their platforms to encourage public understanding and reduce stigma.
The Burden of Success: Real-World Examples of Mental Health Challenges for Successful People
Howard Hughes takes this to an extreme. The aviation pioneer and tycoon, whose successes spanned films, airlines, and record-breaking flights, retreated into reclusion by the 1950s. After Howard Hughes, it’s important to note that Brian Wilson, the influential leader of the Beach Boys, also faced significant mental health struggles. As the creative force behind the California surfing sound, Wilson contributed to the band’s hit single “Good Vibrations” and other classics, while battling bipolar disorder and substance use. Making music was a key part of Brian Wilson’s recovery and coping with his mental health issues. Jimi Hendrix, another legendary musician, struggled with manic depression and mood swings, which deeply influenced his songwriting and stage persona. Carrie Fisher, known for her iconic role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, was open about her struggles with bipolar disorder and drug addiction, helping to raise mental health awareness. Fisher, diagnosed at the age of 24, also called for more attention and research on the condition, becoming a vocal advocate for mental health. Similarly, Selena Gomez has been transparent about her battles with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, using her platform Wondermind to promote mental health awareness. Abraham Lincoln, one of the most revered U.S. presidents, also suffered from severe depression throughout his life, which was a lifelong struggle during his presidency. Paranoia, germaphobia, and addictions exacerbated by fame’s relentless intrusions—including drug and alcohol addiction—Hughes isolated himself in hotel suites, managing his empire remotely. Kurt Cobain struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts throughout his life, which ultimately contributed to his tragic end. Demi Lovato has spoken about her bipolar disorder, depressive episodes, eating disorders, and her near fatal overdose, emphasizing the importance of treatment and support. Kid Cudi has shared his personal experiences with mental health challenges and substance use, highlighting the impact of childhood and family struggles on his well-being. Ozzy Osbourne has worked to avoid alcohol abuse while managing bipolar disorder and maintaining his well-being. Justin Bieber has described a pretty dark period of drug use and mental health struggles during his rise to fame. Britney Spears has publicly discussed her experience with postpartum depression and its impact on her mental health. Public figures with attention deficit disorder have also faced mental health challenges, with some experiencing drug abuse as a result. Substance abuse and drug abuse are prevalent among successful people with mental health issues, often complicating their recovery. Many celebrities have struggled with eating disorder and eating disorders, sometimes linked to body image pressures and trauma. Some have also experienced post traumatic stress disorder, requiring therapy and self-care strategies to manage symptoms. These struggles highlight depression, severe depression, and loneliness in successful individuals. Panic attacks and emotional breakdown are also common reactions to the stress of being in the public eye, and for some, these struggles begin at a young age and can become a lifelong struggle. The personal cost often extends to their personal life, straining relationships and eroding privacy. In acute crises, some individuals require treatment in psychiatric hospitals, and the risk of self harm increases for those facing intense isolation and distress.
These incidents aren’t anomalies; they’re symptoms of the “hardships of success,” where visibility invites hype, criticism, and invasion of privacy, forcing individuals to over-own their narratives at great personal cost.
Parallels to Mental Health Issues in Leaders and High-Achievers: Burnout, Anxiety, and More
This burden mirrors the mental health challenges for successful people prevalent among organizational leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs today. For instance, Adele experienced severe anxiety following her divorce, a reminder that personal challenges can compound the pressures of success. With over 80% of executives reporting fatigue and low motivation from constant pressure, like Saban’s fight against “rat poison,” leaders face imposter syndrome or decision fatigue amid praise, leading to chronic stress. At one point, Ted Turner was recognized as one of the most influential media moguls, illustrating how even those who reach the pinnacle of their fields encounter significant mental health pressures. Gundy’s self-sacrifice echoes the isolation CEOs experience—60% of millennial leaders cite loneliness from shielding their teams. And Hughes’ reclusion parallels severe conditions like OCD or paranoia, which success can worsen through legal battles, media scrutiny, and unrealistic expectations. In 2023, while serving as a U.S. Senator, John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for severe depression, demonstrating that even those in high-profile leadership roles are not immune to these struggles. Similarly, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has openly discussed his lifelong struggle with depression, encouraging others to check in on one another and prioritize mental health.
Successful people frequently encounter specific mental health issues that stem from their achievements, including various mental health disorders that may go unrecognized in the workplace. Recognizing and addressing these mental health disorders is crucial for both individual well-being and organizational health.
- Burnout and Chronic Fatigue: The relentless pursuit of excellence leads to exhaustion, with symptoms like persistent tiredness, reduced performance, and cynicism toward work—common in burnout in high achievers.
- Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome: Constant fear of failure or exposure as a “fraud” despite proven success, often triggered by high expectations and public scrutiny, exemplifying anxiety in leaders.
- Depression and Loneliness: Feelings of emptiness or isolation at the top, where personal relationships suffer due to work demands and a lack of peers who understand the pressures.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Tendencies: Perfectionism escalating into rigid routines or compulsions, as seen in Hughes, which can interfere with daily functioning and decision-making.
- Substance Use Disorders: Turning to alcohol, drugs, or overwork as coping mechanisms for stress, exacerbating both mental and physical health risks.
In organizations, these manifest as reduced productivity, strained teams, or even breakdowns. Success amplifies vulnerabilities because it erodes boundaries: Leaders feel compelled to be “always on,” owning every outcome. Studies show that affluent or prominent individuals are at higher risk for untreated issues, as stigma and self-reliance deter help-seeking, even though seeking professional help is vital for leaders facing these challenges. Moreover, untreated mental health conditions can have dire physical consequences—chronic stress and anxiety weaken the immune system, increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders, and even shorten lifespan through inflammation and poor self-care habits. Self-care activities such as yoga, meditation, and exercise can help individuals stay grounded amidst stress, stabilizing moods and turning psychological burdens into holistic health crises. Consulting medical professionals is essential for high-achievers to effectively manage and prevent the escalation of mental health issues. Catherine Zeta-Jones, for example, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder following stress during her husband’s battle with cancer, highlighting how personal and professional pressures can intersect to impact mental health.
How Psychiatry and Psychology Can Treat Mental Health Challenges for Successful People
Fortunately, psychiatry and psychology offer evidence-based tools to address these challenges, helping individuals reclaim balance without diminishing their drive. For instance, Michael Phelps sought professional therapy after a low point following the 2012 Olympics, which he credits with saving his life. His story underscores the importance of seeking help and the transformative impact of mental health interventions.
- Psychiatric Interventions: Psychiatrists, as medical doctors, can diagnose and treat underlying conditions like depression, anxiety, or OCD through medication (e.g., antidepressants like SSRIs for mood stabilization or anti-anxiety drugs) combined with therapy. For someone like Hughes, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) integrated with OCD-specific medications could have managed compulsions, reducing isolation. In modern contexts, executive coaching paired with psychiatric care helps leaders process stressors pharmacologically while building resilience.
- Psychological Approaches: Psychologists focus on talk therapies like CBT to reframe negative thought patterns—e.g., challenging Saban-style “poison” narratives by promoting mindfulness and boundary-setting. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) aids emotional regulation for Gundy’s over-responsibility, teaching distress tolerance. Group therapy or executive peer support normalizes struggles, combating loneliness.
Both fields emphasize prevention: Regular assessments can catch issues early, using tools like biofeedback for stress management or apps for mood tracking. Holistic integration—combining therapy with lifestyle changes like exercise and sleep hygiene—ensures sustainable recovery, allowing leaders to own success healthily. Crucially, having a coordinated care team—comprising psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians, a licensed clinical social worker, and specialists—is vital for comprehensive treatment. Integrated mental health services are essential in dual diagnosis treatment programs, as they address both mental health and substance use issues in high-achievers through therapy, medication management, and supportive environments. This team approach ensures seamless communication, addresses both mental and physical symptoms (e.g., managing anxiety’s impact on heart health), and prevents fragmented care that could exacerbate issues. Long term treatment is often necessary for sustained recovery, highlighting the importance of ongoing professional help and support.
The Importance of Accessible Mental Health Facilities and Telepsychiatry for High-Achievers
Mental health facilities must be accessible to everyone, including those who appear outwardly successful, because success often masks deep-seated struggles. Public figures like Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey have helped normalize these struggles, reducing stigma and encouraging others to seek help. Public discussions about mental health by celebrities can open more opportunities for conversation and education, fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding. Yet their influence means untreated issues can ripple through organizations, affecting teams and economies. Facilities like outpatient clinics, telehealth services, or specialized executive wellness centers provide discreet, tailored care, ensuring privacy and flexibility. These services, supported by insurance or subsidies, culturally competent providers, and stigma-free environments, promote mental health awareness.
Many high-performing individuals are already comfortable visiting their primary care doctors for routine physical health needs, making this a natural entry point for mental health support. Integrating mental health into primary care not only increases mental health awareness but also provides a seamless way for them to access psychiatry if their primary care provider integrates services like those from FasPsych, allowing mental health consultations to occur within the familiar setting of a trusted doctor’s office—bridging the gap without requiring a separate, potentially intimidating step.
Organizations like FasPsych exemplify how staffing solutions can enhance this accessibility. FasPsych specializes in connecting mental health facilities with qualified professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors with all sorts of specialties—ranging from executive coaching and trauma-informed care to addiction recovery and performance optimization. Their telepsychiatry services deliver secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual care via real-time video and audio, enabling assessments, crisis intervention, and chronic illness management in underserved areas like rural or tribal communities. By integrating with existing electronic health records (EHR) systems and providing 24/7 tech support, FasPsych ensures coordinated care with long-term provider relationships, fostering trust and continuity. This is particularly helpful for treating mental health conditions that could lead to physical illnesses, as their evidence-based approaches—aligned with American Psychiatric Association standards—include medication management and psychotherapy to address holistic needs. Lady Gaga’s album Chromatica was created as a way to process her struggles with depression, showcasing how creative outlets can also play a role in mental health recovery. With partnerships across nearly 130 organizations in most states, FasPsych helps facilities scale services efficiently, billing only for actual time worked, and ultimately improves patient outcomes by bridging gaps in public health systems and reducing stigma around seeking help.
Moreover, incorporating FasPsych services into existing medical facilities plays a key role in reducing the stigma of psychiatry. By embedding psychiatric care within general healthcare settings—like primary care offices or hospitals—mental health becomes normalized as just another aspect of overall wellness, rather than a separate or “taboo” specialty. This integration allows patients to receive mental health support during routine visits, minimizing the perception of seeking “specialized” help and encouraging earlier intervention. For high-achievers accustomed to efficiency, this blended model demystifies psychiatry, framing it as a proactive tool for peak performance, much like annual check-ups or preventive screenings. There’s nothing unusual about a successful person needing psychiatric care—mental health challenges affect people across all socioeconomic levels—but an outdated stigma persists that only poor or “troubled” individuals require it, which harms access to care and perpetuates isolation. Psychiatry is evidence-based like all medicine, relying on rigorous research, clinical trials, and proven treatments to manage conditions effectively. FasPsych’s coordination with other providers helps dismantle this stigma by creating an integrated model, either with existing clinics people already use or their doctor’s office, making treatment feel more normal and comfortable as part of routine healthcare.
In an era where success is more visible than ever—amplified by social media and 24/7 news—making facilities inclusive ensures that achievement doesn’t come at the cost of well-being. Accessible services can encourage people to seek support, helping to foster a culture where mental health is prioritized for everyone.
Engage Mental Health Professionals Today for Better Well-Being
For mental health facilities looking to expand access and support successful individuals through innovative solutions, reach out to FasPsych today at 888-218-4070 or visit to schedule a free consultation on how telepsychiatry can benefit your organization. This no-obligation discussion can help you explore staffing options, improve patient care, and address the unique needs of high-achievers—take the first step toward enhancing your services by contacting them now.