When Work Feels Overwhelming

For many professionals, work is more than a job, it’s a source of identity, purpose, and stability. So when getting through the workday starts to feel overwhelming, inconsistent, or even impossible, the emotional impact can be profound. Missed deadlines, difficulty concentrating, frequent absences, or the need to step away from work altogether can leave people feeling frustrated, ashamed, or worried about their future. If this sounds familiar, it’s important to know one thing first: this experience is far more common than most people realize, and it is often linked to identifiable, treatable mental health conditions.

Individuals experiencing symptoms may notice them fluctuating or building gradually until continuing work at its current pace becomes unsustainable. When this happens, individuals may opt to reduce hours, take medical leave or step away completely - often feeling guilt or fear as a result of doing so.

People who experience this kind of difficulty often describe a mix of emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms, such as:

• Persistent anxiety or tension during the workday

• Racing or intrusive thoughts that make it hard to focus

• Mental exhaustion that starts early and doesn’t improve with rest

• Avoidance of tasks, meetings, or deadlines

• Difficulty maintaining a consistent schedule or attendance

• Feeling emotionally reactive, irritable, or shut down

• A sense of losing control, even when motivation is present

In the United States, nearly 1 in 5 adults (19.1%) experiences an anxiety disorder in a given year. Among those individuals, more than half experience moderate to severe impairment, meaning their symptoms significantly interfere with daily functioning — including work.

Depression is also widespread. Approximately 21 million U.S. adults (8.3%) experience a major depressive episode each year, and 5.7% report severe impairment that affects their ability to function at work or maintain consistent routines.

Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 6% of U.S. adults, or about 15.5 million people, and often shows up in the workplace as difficulty managing time, sustaining attention, organizing tasks, or coping with high cognitive demands.

Beyond diagnoses, workforce surveys show that:

• 52% of U.S. employees report feeling burned out due to work

• 37% report feeling so overwhelmed that it becomes difficult to do their job

These numbers tell a clear story: struggling at work due to mental and emotional overload is not rare, and it is not a personal failure.

Why Does This Happen?

Conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and ADHD directly affect how the brain regulates stress, attention, emotions, and executive functioning.

When these systems are under strain, the brain remains in a heightened state of alert or fatigue. This can make it extremely difficult to prioritize tasks, manage time, tolerate pressure, or recover from stress. Importantly, this is not something that can simply be “powered through” with willpower.

Trying to force productivity while the nervous system is overwhelmed often worsens symptoms — increasing burnout, emotional distress, and the risk of longer-term impairment.

The Impact on Work and Daily Life

Research consistently shows that mental health conditions are associated with increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and difficulty maintaining consistent performance.

Among U.S. workers with a lifetime diagnosis of depression, studies show an average of 9.5 mentally unhealthy days per month, compared to 2.2 days among workers without depression. These lost days are not a reflection of motivation or commitment - they are a reflection of untreated or under-supported mental health needs. Left unaddressed, these challenges can spill into relationships, physical health, and overall quality of life. Addressed early and thoughtfully, however, many people are able to regain stability, confidence, and a sense of control.

What Can Help?

The most effective support is often personalized and multi-layered.

Therapy plays a central role. Evidence-based approaches such as talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral strategies can help individuals:

• Understand the root causes of overwhelm

• Learn skills to regulate stress and emotions

• Improve focus, pacing, and boundaries

• Rebuild confidence in their ability to function at work

For some individuals, medication may also be helpful. When anxiety, depression, or attention-related symptoms significantly interfere with daily functioning, carefully selected medications can help stabilize mood, reduce constant mental strain, and improve clarity and focus. Medication decisions are always individualized and made collaboratively, with close attention to each person’s goals, history, and preferences.

Lifestyle factors - such as sleep, stress management, workload adjustments, and supportive routines - also play an important role and can be integrated into care in practical, realistic ways.

A Message of Hope

Perhaps the most important thing to understand is this: struggling at work does not mean you are broken, weak, or incapable. It means your system is asking for support.

Millions of professionals experience periods where their mental health makes work harder than it should be. With the right care, many are able to return to consistent routines, perform effectively, and feel more like themselves again, often with greater self-awareness and resilience than before.

Reaching Out, Confidentially

If you’re experiencing overwhelm that’s affecting your ability to work, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Support can begin with a simple, confidential conversation.

At Sovegna, we understand how deeply personal and sensitive these struggles can be. Our approach is thoughtful, individualized, and grounded in respect. Whether you’re seeking clarity, treatment options, or simply a place to talk, we invite you to reach out and start the conversation.

You deserve care, understanding, and a path forward — and help is available.