The Complex Trauma Podcast

Hyper-Independent and Burnt Out? It’s Not Your Fault


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If asking for help feels like a risk…
If you pride yourself on being “the strong one”…

If burnout sneaks up on you even when you're doing everything right,  this episode is for you.

Sarah and Abby are talking about the hidden costs of hyper-independence. They unpack how this survival strategy gets wired into your nervous system, why it often stems from trauma or emotional neglect, and how it can quietly erode your capacity for rest, trust, and connection.

They explore:
 → Why over-functioning is often a form of self-protection
 → How hyper-independence shows up in recovery from CPTSD and eating disorders
 → What it takes to unlearn “I’m fine” conditioning
 → The power of nervous system safety and relational healing

As always, this one’s not about blame, it’s about awareness, self-compassion, and tiny ways to soften.

 Download the FREE Hyper-Independence Self-Inventory
A reflection tool to help you name where over-functioning is showing up, and what it might be protecting.
👉 https://www.subscribepage.com/hyper-independence-self-inventory

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw

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Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

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The Complex Trauma PodcastBy Sarah Herstich

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