Rory Gilmore Syndrome: Why High-Achievers Struggle with Anxiety and Burnout And How Therapy Can Help

Many gifted, high-achieving adults grow up praised for their accomplishments and later struggle with perfectionism, burnout, and constant pressure to succeed. This pattern, described as “Rory Gilmore Syndrome” can lead to anxiety, guilt around rest, and a deep reliance on external validation. In this post, I explore why this happens, how it impacts emotional well-being, and how therapy can help you break free from productivity-driven stress.