Disorder

A Case Study on Stress Management and Recovery: Priya Gets Burnt Out at 32

Written By

Dr. Amar Shinde

Last Updated on: 23 May 2025

Patient Information:

Name: Priya (name changed for privacy)

Age: 32

Gender: Female

Background: Priya has the perfect LinkedIn profile. She is a software Engineer based in Bangalore. She is a gold medalist in computer science, a rising star in one of the top IT firms, and someone who everyone believed "had it all figured out." She was smart and independent, always the go-to person at work, and the typical boss's favourite. However, that image did not come very easily. Behind that impressive image was an overworked woman on the verge of collapse.

History or Cause:

Priya had always been a high achiever. However, as she progressed in her career, she started taking more responsibilities, and her work hours kept increasing. The signs of burnout were all there- sleepless nights, skipped meals, constant anxiety, and that ever-growing to-do list. Priya was working 12 to 14 hours a day and seven days a week. She was always at work with no breaks and no time for peace. 'Me Time' was a luxury that became unaffordable due to her own choices at work.

She understood that her mind and body were breaking, but she thought it was all part of the hustle and hard work, and extra effort was what set her apart from others. While she only thought that she was being driven, the truth was dark. She soon started experiencing breakdowns and anxiety attacks despite the signs, she continued pushing, which resulted in a drop in performance, increased irritability, and her being withdrawn, everything that used to be her highlight. 

When Priya fainted in the middle of an important presentation, her doctor raised an alarm and asked her to stop immediately. After a thorough assessment, no physical illnesses were diagnosed, and so Priya was referred to a mental health specialist.

Diagnosis:

Priya visited Jagruti Rehab and, after a detailed assessment, the team of doctors diagnosed Severe Work-Related Stress and Burnout Syndrome, with symptoms overlapping GAD, also known as generalised anxiety disorder.

Her psychologist used the combination of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess her condition and emotional health. She scored high in emotional exhaustion, low in personal fulfilment, and showed early signs of detachment from her work identity.

It means that what she had perceived as dedication was, in fact, dangerous overcommitment or in other words, workaholic behaviour.

Treatment:

Approach:

Based on the assessment and diagnosis, the team first set goals for Priya. The goal was not just to get Priya back on her feet, but it was to modify her mindset. The target was to first change her mindset about work, life, and priorities. She needed help with restructuring her lifestyle and loving her life again.

The team, seeing her symptoms, decided on a non-medical and holistic approach. It combined therapy, mindfulness practices, fitness, and skill workshops.

Program:

Priya was made to enrol in an 8-week stress recovery program as an outpatient at Jagruti Rehab. The program was personalised and designed to suit her schedule. Here is the program-

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - sessions twice a week
• Group therapy - every Friday evening
• Yoga and meditation - thrice weekly
• Nutrition coaching to fix her erratic eating
• Digital detox training to break her phone-checking compulsion
• Time and energy management coaching

She was also made to start maintaining a stress journal. The practice required her to note down her triggers, mood shifts, and wins of the day, irrespective of how small they were.

Medical Treatments (Optional):

She did not show signs of aggression or hyperactivity and hence did not require any antipsychotic drugs. However, because of her sleep disturbances, she was prescribed melatonin supplements and herbal adaptogens to help her sleep and recover soon.

Therapy:

Several types of therapy were used to treat Priya's condition - 

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Doctors used CBT to modify her toxic thoughts and definitions of work. For example, "If I am not working, I am useless." She was made to understand that imperfections are human and that accepting failure is a part of growth. Also, she was taught how to treat challenges as opportunities. The change of mindset relieved her mind from stress at work.
2. Mindfulness and Meditation: Holistic wellness practices like mindful activities and meditation work as excellent stress management techniques. Priya was taught to be in the present in stressful situations using guided meditations and mindful walks.
3. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): The therapy trained her to set personal goals that gave her a break from work. For example, weekly goals of "log off by 8 PM" and "no work on Sunday".
4. Creative Therapy (Journaling & Art): With art therapy, she started having 'Me Time'. She began sketching again after college. She also started journaling about life and started exploring again, which she missed for work.
5. Group Therapy: Her first group therapy was transformational for her. Finding people like her who were facing the same problems made her feel normal, understand her own issues, and find reliability. Meeting people like her made her realise that she was not weak; it was normal to experience burnout.

Improvements / Recovery Timeline:

Our Success:

Impact on Patient's Life:

Priya can now understand her body, set boundaries for herself, and most importantly, does not live from deadline to deadline. While she is back to being productive again, now she is more intentional and focused and prioritises work-life balance.

She volunteers once a month and has joined a book club.  She has also adopted a pet cat named Pixel. While she is still dedicated and driven to her work, she has built a personal life for herself that she prioritises and takes a pause from work for.

Family and Community:

Priya's parents, after the burnout and hospitalisation, have become more aware and supportive of stress and burnout. Her friends and peers, who had missed her, welcomed her back and have taken lessons from the whole episode. She has even started conducting informal mental wellness sessions and workshops at her workplace, advocating for psychological safety.

She was known for her performance, but now she is known for being unbreakable and has become an inspiration.

Conclusion:

This case study on stress management with solutions is a classic example of awareness. In the times when hustling has become a culture, this shows what burnout can look like.

Dr. Amar Shinde

Dr. Amar Shinde, founder of Jagruti Rehab, is a renowned psychiatrist in India with over two decades of experience in mental health, addiction recovery, and neuropsychiatry, dedicated to holistic, compassionate patient care.