Influencer Burnout Is on the Rise: The Quiet Mental Health Struggles of Content Creators

More and more influencers are saying the pressure behind the scenes is too much to handle. Behind the polished posts, many creators are quietly battling burnout, stress, addiction to dopamine hits, body image issues, financial insecurity —especially those still trying to "make it" big.

A 2024 study, Beyond the filter: Impact of popularity on the mental health of social media influencers, found that influencers who spend more time on social media are more likely to feel anxious, down, and emotionally drained. The study also discovered that influencers who make less than $10,000 a year from their content tend to feel worse than those earning more—likely because the work is constant, the rewards uncertain, and the lifestyle demanding.

The Emotional Cost of a Career Online

Being an influencer might look like fun, but it can come with a heavy emotional price. Many creators talk about constantly feeling "on," never truly off the clock, and being stuck in a loop of performing for the algorithm.

Some describe influencer burnout as a mix of physical exhaustion, creative fatigue, and emotional numbness. Others say they feel disconnected from their own identity, unsure where the real person ends and the online persona begins.

The pressure to post regularly, grow their audience, stay relevant, and respond to followers—often without any clear financial return—can lead to serious mental health problems. And the numbers back that up.

Related: Account Takeover Attacks on Social Media: A Rising Threat for Content Creators and Influencers

Time Online, Income, and Emotional Wellbeing

The study looked at 161 influencers and followed their habits between November 2022 and March 2023. Researchers used questionnaires to explore how their time online affected their mood and relationships.

Here's what stood out:

• Influencers who spent more than five hours a day on social media felt significantly worse than those who spent less time. The more hours they were online, the more emotionally drained, frustrated, or sad they reported feeling.
• Those earning under $10,000 a year from their content were hit the hardest emotionally. Their scores showed the lowest levels of positive feelings, suggesting that struggling to make a living from posting content can weigh heavily on mental health.
• Interestingly, having more followers didn't help—in fact, the study found that influencers with larger followings tended to report more negative emotions, possibly due to the added pressure, exposure, or constant need to keep up appearances.
• And even among those earning more, higher income was linked to more anxiety and relationship strain—especially with close family members like parents. The emotional cost of being "always on" seems to show up both online and offline.

The study also highlighted something important: many influencers aren't sure how or where to get help when they're struggling. Mental health literacy is often low, and the fear of being judged—especially when you're constantly in the spotlight—makes it even harder to reach out.

Influencers Are Finally Speaking Up

There's a growing shift toward honesty in online spaces. Creators are sharing more behind-the-scenes moments—burnout confessions, unplugging for mental health, or even stepping away from social media entirely. The conversation is changing, and vulnerability is slowly becoming more accepted.

Here are just a few examples:

• Dagi Bee – Germany's top YouTuber, she posted about feeling "burnt out" after nearly three weeks off, saying she needed time away from social media and content creation to recuperate. (bild.de)
• Louise Thompson – Former Made in Chelsea star turned influencer, she tore up her podcast talking about being so exhausted she "doesn't even get a lunch break," and broke down describing how "being an influencer is a very exhausting job" (thesun.co.uk)
• Sam Guggenheimer – Australian TikToker with 349k followers, she shared her struggles with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder, emphasizing how online "highlight reels" distort reality. (nypost.com)

Fans are responding positively, showing more support for creators who prioritize their wellbeing, which gives influencers more space to be real.

Help Is Out There: Therapy Designed for Creators

As more influencers speak out, a new kind of mental health support is emerging—therapy that understands what life as a content creator is really like.

These sessions don't just focus on anxiety or burnout in general. They go deeper into the unique pressures of being online for a living. That includes:

• The stress of constantly chasing engagement and reach
• Dealing with trolls, harassment, or public criticism
• Feeling lost between your real self and your online persona
• The fear of losing income just because you need a break

Many therapists now specialize in working with creators. They understand what it means to live under a spotlight, to be judged by strangers, and to have your income tied to how visible—or invisible—you are online.

Related: "They Wanted My Amazing Story," Says Blogger Targeted in an Influencer Scam — How to Spot and Stop These Scams

Protecting Your Peace—On and Offline

Taking care of your mental health isn't just about what's going on inside—it also means feeling secure in the digital space where you work and create.

With Bitdefender Security for Creators, you don't have to choose between doing what you love and staying protected. Our award-winning tools help you stay in control of your content and accounts, with 24/7 monitoring of your Youtube account (soon Instagram and Facebook) and filters that catch fake sponsorship emails before they reach you.

Whether you're posting, editing, or just taking a break, Bitdefender keeps threats like scams, hacks, and account takeovers in check—quietly working in the background so you can focus on what matters.

Because your peace of mind deserves protection, too.