Why High-Achieving Kids Are Burnt Out, How Parents Can Support Teens Without Pressure

Parents of high-achieving teens are seeing more anxiety, burnout, and pressure than ever before. If your child is doing well on the outside but struggling underneath, this episode will help you understand why.

In this conversation, Dr. Suzanne Simpson sits down with her former student, now 23, to explore the hidden pressure behind achievement culture and what it actually feels like to grow up as a high-achieving, perfectionistic teen.

You will hear directly from a young adult who lived it, from striving for top universities to realising how deeply her self-worth became tied to grades, performance, and external validation.

In this episode, you will learn:
 • Why high-achieving teens often feel constant pressure, even without parents intending it
 • How praise and expectations can quietly lead to anxiety and burnout
 • The difference between supporting your teen and unintentionally pressuring them
 • What teens actually need from parents when they are struggling
 • How to build connection so your child feels valued beyond achievement

This episode will help you shift from focusing on performance to understanding your child as a whole person, so you can support their well-being without adding more pressure.

If you have ever wondered how to help a stressed or perfectionistic teen, this conversation will give you insight you may not hear anywhere else.

Follow Get on Their Turf for more research-based strategies to support your teen’s mental health and strengthen your connection.

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

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👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com

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Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.