In this in-depth radio interview with The Times, Jan Gerber, CEO and Founder of Paracelsus Recovery, discusses a growing psychological pattern we are increasingly observing in clinical practice: when the pursuit of longevity shifts from healthy living into anxiety, obsession, and loss of psychological wellbeing.

While not a formally recognised diagnosis, what Jan refers to as longevity fixation reflects a broader mental health dynamic seen among high-performing and high-responsibility individuals. In an era shaped by global uncertainty, technological acceleration, and post-pandemic anxiety, many people attempt to regain control by hyper-focusing on health optimisation, biohacking, and measurable self-improvement.

In this conversation, Jan explores:

•⁠ ⁠Why extreme longevity obsession is often driven by anxiety, not health

•⁠ ⁠How fear, uncertainty, and loss of control fuel over-optimisation

•⁠ ⁠When self-care becomes a psychological burden

•⁠ ⁠The difference between living well and trying to control life

•⁠ ⁠Why effective mental health treatment must address root causes, not surface behaviours

At Paracelsus Recovery, we take a deeply individual, root-cause-focused approach to mental health. Obsessive behaviours, whether related to longevity, success, substances, or control, are rarely the core issue. They are symptoms pointing to underlying anxiety, trauma, or unresolved psychological needs.

This discussion offers an important reflection on modern wellbeing and a reminder that true health is not about living longer at all costs, but about living with meaning, balance, and psychological safety.

About Paracelsus Recovery

Paracelsus Recovery is a world-leading mental health and addiction treatment centre based in Zurich, Switzerland. We provide one-client-at-a-time, fully confidential treatment, combining medical excellence with a compassionate, humanistic approach.

Learn more: https://paracelsus-recovery.com

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In this powerful and heartfelt episode, our CEO Jan Gerber sits down with The Duchess of York to reflect on her time at Paracelsus Recovery and what it means to truly heal from the C-PTSD she developed after loss, and how she came to depend on food as a coping strategy for her pain.

Together, they explore the impact of trauma, the stigma around mental health, and how a compassionate, anti-normative and non-pathologising approach can help someone feel seen after years of hiding. The Duchess speaks openly about the immense grief she’s carried and the pressure to keep going in silence as so many of us do.

If you’ve ever felt like your pain was too much to name or like healing might not be possible – this one is for you.

In a compelling interview on Times Radio, host Ed Vaizey engages with Jan Gerber, CEO of Paracelsus Recovery, to explore the pressing issue of mental health among business leaders. Gerber, who brings personal experience and professional expertise to the discussion, reveals the increase in mental health referrals he receives each April, a time when CEOs face immense pressure to meet financial targets. The conversation delves into the causes of executive stress and burnout, strategies for prevention and recovery, and the different ways men and women handle stress at the top. Through candid insights and shared experiences, this interview shines a light on the hidden challenges of leadership and the critical importance of addressing mental health in high-pressure roles.

In a revealing discussion on Sky News, Ian King delves into the pressures faced by chief executives, particularly during financial reporting periods. Jan Gerber, CEO of Paracelsus Recovery, sheds light on the mental health challenges that leaders often encounter, especially around the deadline for first-quarter results. Paracelsus Recovery, renowned for treating business executives, observes a notable increase in referrals of CEOs during these times. Gerber discusses the typical conditions these leaders suffer from, including burnout and anxiety, and explains the tailored, pragmatic treatment approaches his organization employs to help them cope while maintaining their professional responsibilities. The conversation highlights the paradox of leadership roles: the isolation and intense pressure hidden behind a facade of success and capability.

Our CEO – Jan Gerber, sat down with Dr. Med. Thilo Beck to discuss why #ultrawealthy clientele can experience as much stigmatisation and isolation as those at the far end of the socioeconomic spectrum. His insights from over 30 years of experience are sure to surprise you.

Paracelsus Recovery is the world's premier treatment provider for mental health, substance abuse, eating disorders and other afflictions. At our lake-front residential penthouse, you will also have a housekeeper, dedicated driver, and personal chef, amongst many other amenities and complementary therapies. Treatment programmes include a four-week residential programme, a seven-day Executive Detoxification programme and a fully online treatment programme. Dr. Med. Thilo Beck is our chief consultant psychiatrist.

#LuxuryRehab #mentalhealth #addiction

In December 2022, Jan Gerber, CEO of Paracelsus Recovery, sat down for a candid and authentic conversation with world-renowned MC, Entrepreneur, and Personal Coach Dan Ram. Together, they dissected what it means to be both a flawed human being and a highly successful one. Dan’s life has led him down a myriad of roads, and he has become friends with some of the world’s most influential people, ranging from Barack Obama to Richard Branson and Jessica Alba.

Dan’s unique talent is his ability to connect with the ultra-successful and wealthy as human beings (and of course, everyone else for that matter). His capacity for authentic and genuine connection has allowed him to build a successful company and career, and it has given him a plethora of fascinating experiences - such as helping a former US president’s daughter with her college applications.

However, he has also spent the last five years traveling the world. While it has been the most productive and successful period of his life, “I’m also probably the most broken; and they both are happening at the same time.”Together, Jan and Dan map out why success often comes with loneliness and a loss of time for oneself; and what these ‘costs of successes’ can do to a person’s authentic self.

Jan and Dan’s conversation is filled with personal stories, insights, and an inspiring honesty that can only come when two people sit together and are willing to take off their masks and connect as vulnerable human beings.

From the outside looking in, Pawel Mowlik was living the dream. Starting off from humble origins, he became the mentee of one of Zurich’s most successful hedge-fund managers. His work ethic is impeccable, and it led him to become a multi-millionaire himself at only 22 years of age. He lived in a glamorous haze of private jets, fine dining, and parties. But Mowlik explains that there is a huge difference between the reality of that life and the fantasy, which most of us must learn the hard way.

His determination and work ethic soon turned into a double-edged sword. As he climbed the ladder of success, it became hard not to feel like the ‘master of the universe.’ Mowlik wanted to do it all – attend every party, live everywhere, and work constantly, leaving him exhausted. As many ultra-successful people know, when the world never says no to you, it is hard to say no back.

“I asked myself, what would I advise to someone who was as jaded as I was at that time? On the one hand, I really wanted to get out of it, but on the other hand, I felt desperate and I did not know how to change. I lost trust in myself because I couldn’t say to myself ‘you will change everything tomorrow’ because I’d taken those vows so many times…I realised that desperateness. I lost trust in myself.” - Pawel Mowlik, Managing Partner of Paracelsus Recovery

Eventually, like so many others, he resorted to cocaine. Mowlik speaks with elegance and wisdom as he shares the nights and days he lost to blackouts. Although he knew it was becoming unmanageable, the thoughts that plague so many of us kept him trapped in the cycle. How can I be unhappy when I am living the dream life? What is wrong with me? A sense of shame, fear and hopelessness continued to grow.

After spending 10 days on a yacht with friends and remembering almost none of it due to his substance abuse, Mowlik knew he needed to seek help. He spent time in various rehabilitation centres across the world, but they only made him feel more alienated and alone.

“Money is a very powerful tool. It can be very powerful to achieve great things, but it can equally be very destructive. One just needs to be able to handle that tool, and a lot of people are not trained.” - Jan Gerber, CEO of Paracelsus Recovery

Eventually, he found sobriety and support in Paracelsus Recovery. Now, seven years later, Mowlik can see how the success and wealth he found at such a young age blinded him. He lost touch with his life’s purpose and felt adrift in the world. Now, he knows that the way to find meaning is to help others by sharing his story and embracing his passions, such as fine dining.

Although his life has been anything but ordinary, his life story is relatable to anyone whose known addiction. His conversation with Jan Gerber is as honest as it is insightful, and we hope it will help those out there afraid to seek help.

Read more in the main website at paracelsus-recovery.com

We are nearly a year into the global #pandemic, and it is taking its toll on everyone's #mentalhealth.

At #ParacelsusRecovery, we have seen a fivefold increase in referrals for numerous problems. For instance, many of our clients are struggling with #burnout, depression or substance abuse.

But, we have also seen a spike in lesser-known issues. Gaming addiction in young people skyrocketed during the lockdowns, and boardroom-bullying is becoming pervasive.

In light of these growing challenges, it is more important than ever to break the mental health stigma and reach out for support if you are struggling.

Scroll down below to find a transcript of our CEO, Dr Marta Ra, explaining how we can combat these issues on Times Radio.

We recorded this interview before the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the points we discussed are still relevant, if not even more so. For example:

- How does a billionaire run his business and manage to win the famous 24 hours of le Mans?

- How does he deal with the pressure and maintain his mental health at the same time?

Karim Ojjeh shared his tricks and the tools that he uses to stay on top of it all and even keep his cool during a massive accident he suffered while racing.

Stay healthy, stay home!

#McLaren #KarimOjjeh #LeMans #ParacelsusRecovery #COVID-19

In this episode, we sat down with Patricia Arquette. An acclaimed Hollywood actor with an Oscar, Emmy any multiple awards. When she is not standing in front of the camera for the latest Hollywood movie she runs her charity organization GiveLove which provides safe sanitation for the poorest people in the world.

We asked her how she is able to manage her busy lifestyle between the spotlight and the charity work. It is a rare insight into the mental health issues she is dealing with herself and how she finds a way through the toughest of all times.

🔔 Subscribe for the next episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBEjxbkLfQ1cZG18sVz75Jw?view_as=subscriber 👍

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