From rude bosses and impossible deadlines to the pressure of being “always on,” the grind isn’t just tiring anymore—it’s making people sick, both physically and mentally.
A few people shared their experiences of toxic workplaces and how they managed to survive or stay sane despite them. Chente||Emotions Doctor, and an anonymous medical student, weighed in with their insights.
“The Pressure to Make It Is Draining Us”
Chente, a certified grief, trauma, couples/relationship, sex, and mental health therapist, sees it every day.
“The pressure to ‘make it’, especially in this economy, is intense. Many people are working multiple jobs, chasing deadlines, and living in a state of constant survival. I see clients who tell me, ‘I’m just tired, but I can’t stop.’ They’re running on empty but afraid to rest because rest now feels like failure or like they’re not doing enough.”
Anon, a medical student, whom I’d refer to as D.D., agrees.
“People don’t come in saying, ‘I’m stressed from work.’ They complain about headaches, sleeplessness, or body pain. They’ve normalised stress — but it’s not normal.”
“Monday Anxiety” Is a Real Thing
Chente recalls one patient whose boss constantly criticised: “They had panic attacks every Sunday just thinking about Monday. They stopped sleeping, lost their appetite, and withdrew from friends. It took months of therapy to rebuild their confidence.”
D.D. adds: “A friend started a new job, and by the fourth day, her boss was constantly insulting her, telling her to ‘use her brain’. Imagine starting excited and ending up feeling worthless. She eventually quit, but not everyone can.”
Leaving isn’t always an option. With rent, fuel, and food prices skyrocketing, people are often forced to stay in toxic jobs to survive.
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“My Body Is Tired, But I Still Show Up”
Doctors are now seeing the consequences of Nigeria’s hustle culture. Young workers are collapsing from exhaustion. Women are facing hormonal issues from stress. Men hiding depression behind forced smiles.
“When stress becomes chronic, people turn to coping mechanisms like alcohol or binge eating,” D.D. explains. “Then come headaches, ulcers, and high blood pressure—it’s a dangerous cycle.”
Burnout sneaks in quietly.
“Some people notice mood swings, snapping easily at loved ones, or losing interest in things that once made them happy. Others become emotionally numb; they function, but they’re emotionally disconnected,” Chente adds.
“This can lead to depression, withdrawal, or even resentment toward work, colleagues, and family.”
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“I Stayed Because I Needed the Money”—Real Stories from Burnt-Out Nigerians
1. Slim, the Tech Bro
“I once had an overseas job that demanded 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Stand-up meetings daily. No breaks. I was constantly sick and couldn’t focus. Even my family suffered. My sleep, my cognitive abilities – everything suffered.
On top of it all, we were often given tasks that should have taken two weeks, with only 24 hours to deliver. I stayed longer than I should’ve because I really needed the money, and the salary, though not even a million, was attractive at the time. I genuinely thought I could endure it. But eventually, I realised I was losing myself. I wasn’t the same person anymore, and leaving was simply the right thing to do.”
2. Mary, the Teacher
“I teach English and Literature — seven periods a day across four classes. That’s over 100 essays to mark and lesson notes to prepare, and as Head of Department, I’m at work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. I can’t complain because I fear I may be replaced, and I can’t quit because what job is out there? I need to survive.
READ ALSO: The Price of Knowledge: How Much Do Teachers Really Earn.
3. Amaka, the Content Creator
“I work as a content creator and social media manager. It’s a hybrid, but it also restricts my airflow. I record, edit, and publish three videos daily, plus captions, hashtags, community management, and writing. I also distribute it across four social media channels. I earn less than ₦200,000.
Every time I complain, my mom prays for me and says, ‘Be grateful.’ I can’t quit; I know how bad the job market is. It took me a full year before I could land this job, and I just don’t want to go back to being jobless.”
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Your Therapist Needs a Therapist
Chente says, “I’ve experienced burnout myself. It’s easy to forget that therapists are also human. There was a period I kept pouring so much into others that I ignored my own exhaustion. I kept going because people needed me until my body and mind said no. I was emotionally flat. That experience humbled me and reminded me that healing others doesn’t mean neglecting myself.”
D.D. laughs softly, “Of course, I’ve been burnt out too. I think burnout is something almost everyone has experienced at some point, especially in demanding environments like hospitals.”
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