Achieving success in India today means long hours, endless travel, tight deadlines – and often, a spotlight that never dims. For women in corporate India, the stakes feel even higher. You’re balancing outputs, perceptions, expectations – both at work and at home.
But behind confident presentations and polished resumes, many of these women carry something unseen: anxiety and depression.
They don’t look “unwell.” On the outside, they’re thriving. But underneath, there’s pressure. Persistent stress. A sense that asking for help isn’t just hard – it’s risky.
Why corporate women face a crisis of the mind
According to a recent ekincare survey, women in India Inc are three times more likely to seek mental health support than men (11.9% vs 4.2%).
There’s a message behind that: women carry more emotional weight at work – even if they still show up every single day. The expectations are relentless. Perform flawlessly, yet remain nurturing. Be ambitious, yet never too aggressive.
In offices, many feel they must outperform to stay visible. The result? High-functioning anxiety – achieving more, but feeling less. Sleepless nights. Overthinking. Worry about letting others down. This pressure doesn’t stay at 9 AM. It seeps into dinner conversations, school drop-offs, even bedtime prayers.
Hidden symptoms rooted in dual roles
These women don’t just carry targets and KPIs – they carry guilt and planning. They manage projects while making mental lists: PTA meetings, elderly care, meal planning. Emotional labor at home adds weight to corporate stress. And yet, these roles go unrecognized. There’s no appraisal for carrying the emotional load of everyone else’s expectations.
The result? A slow drain on energy and spirit. It shows up as stiffness, migraines, sudden tears – or worse, that feeling of being stuck and unreachable, even to yourself.
When it stays hidden, damage grows
If you’re silently struggling, you’re not alone. But the danger is real. Without language to name the problem – anxiety, depression, burnout – you start hating yourself. Why can’t I handle this? What’s wrong with me? Since mental health remains taboo, many high-achievers avoid professional help.
Delays lead to escalation. Small concerns become panic attacks. Occasional tiredness becomes chronic burnout. Recognition at work can’t heal invisible wounds.
More sick leaves? Or a system shift?
Indian workplaces are waking up. Companies now offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), mental health days, and stress management workshops. But these often feel like optics, not lifelines.
We need deeper change. Policies that allow flexible working without stigma. Mental health coaching. Peer groups. Normalizing therapy as routine – instead of a crisis-only option.
Because anxiety isn’t laziness. Depression isn’t drama. They are signals – calling for care, not judgment.
How women can offload the emotional load
1. Prioritize mental and emotional health
If you’re scheduling meetings, schedule a therapy session too. Or even a quiet cup of tea with yourself. Journaling, walking, or talking to someone safe – these aren’t indulgences. They’re survival tools.
2. Build your personal support circle
You don’t need a big group. You need a trusted few. Friends, mentors, women you can text when you need a word of truth. A mental health circle where “how are you, really?” is welcomed – not dismissed.
3. Plan real breaks and avoid fade-out
This isn’t about a holiday. It’s about intentional downtime. A weekend getaway with women friends. A retreat. A digital detox. When was the last time you did nothing and didn’t feel guilty?
Deep breath. You’re allowed to feel unperfected
Being a high-performing woman in India – especially in hierarchies built for someone else – is hard. But no one should do it alone. Anxiety and depression aren’t signs of failure – they’re signs of living under impossible expectations.
If you recognize yourself in this, step gently. Seek help. Talk to someone. You’re not less-than – you’re human.
Success can be sweet – but only if you’re healthy enough to taste it.
If your inner world has felt heavy, know this: it’s not your fault – and it doesn’t have to stay that way.
You have the permission to rest, the space to heal, and the power to redefine success – not just by what you do, but how well you live.