My Vertigo story Emotionally exhausted at work

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Mehnaz Amjad, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Many moons ago, during a hectic work schedule, I found myself struggling to balance.

It was a sporadic episode of Vertigo!

My head spun, I struggled for balance, and out of anxiety, I ran to the washroom area to throw up.

As an HR leader managing a large team, and at that time I was in a crowded boardroom, the sudden change in my health state left me feeling extremely anxious, stressed and filled with deep shame.

Shame? Yes, shame.

Because I was never taught, nor did I learn ever to prioritise my well-being over other things in life, with health being at the top.

I was a Giver!
Always giving, giving more than has been asked and on the contrary, feeling shy, awkward and ashamed to receive anything. I kept the receiving doors always closed like a secret vault.

The Neurologist suggested that Vertigo was just a symptom at the surface level, what I was really suffering from was emotional exhaustion and instead of any medicines, he suggested I take a break from work and have a Life!

It took me a year of rigorous work and courage to face “shame” and “awkwardness” to understand the reasons behind my abnormal level of giving, and eventually, with much effort, I was able to heal my burnout!
What is Emotional Exhaustion?
Emotions are complex psychological and physiological responses to internal or external stimuli. They help us interpret our environment, guide behaviour, and communicate with others.

Emotions involve:
Thoughts (Cognitive) – How we interpret what’s happening (“I feel threatened”)
Feelings (Subjective) – The internal sensation or experience (“I feel afraid”)
Bodily Responses (Physiological) – Physical changes like a racing heart or sweaty palms
Behavioural Responses – Actions like crying, smiling, withdrawing, or fighting

Emotional exhaustion is a state of feeling emotionally drained, depleted, and overwhelmed, typically resulting from prolonged stress. It is a result of being stuck and unable to find a way out of our particular emotions.

Career slumps often result from emotional exhaustion (a key symptom of workplace burnout) and indirectly impact all areas of our work and life.

So, next time you find yourself overworking to compensate for something you cannot even articulate. Connect for support.

I do not want you to end up at the Neurologist’s clinic like me, grappling to find balance both literally and figuratively.

More Power to you.

Warmly,

Mehnaz Amjad