I worked in different companies for 15 years and experienced different levels of stress. But nothing was as bad as when at the age of 35 I decided to make a side-step to academia, first doing a PhD and a 2 year Postdoc. Current academia is a mess with the "publish or perish" incentive. It's really toxic and they don't care about your mental health at all. Over the years I saw many people drop out with a burnout and after 6 years I also had one. It's insane that this is what we expose young adults to: the next generation should be better protected. I'm glad I recovered, but it took 3-4 years and was a hell ride (broken marriage, kids with mom, lost house, etc). I also experienced a DOUBLE burnout. If the initial burnout isn't treated properly (I stayed at home, but there was a lot of stress at home) you can get a _second_ one that's worse than the first.
I worked in different companies for 15 years and experienced different levels of stress. But nothing was as bad as when at the age of 35 I decided to make a side-step to academia, first doing a PhD and a 2 year Postdoc. Current academia is a mess with the "publish or perish" incentive. It's really toxic and they don't care about your mental health at all. Over the years I saw many people drop out with a burnout and after 6 years I also had one. It's insane that this is what we expose young adults to: the next generation should be better protected. I'm glad I recovered, but it took 3-4 years and was a hell ride (broken marriage, kids with mom, lost house, etc). I also experienced a DOUBLE burnout. If the initial burnout isn't treated properly (I stayed at home, but there was a lot of stress at home) you can get a _second_ one that's worse than the first.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am glad you investing in yourself and your health!
Fight, flight, freeze, and ... 'romance'.