The Connection Between People Pleasing, Anxiety, and Depression

People pleasing and anxiety are often deeply connected.

When someone constantly monitors the emotions, reactions, and needs of others, the nervous system can remain in a prolonged state of stress and hypervigilance. Many individuals begin overthinking interactions, worrying excessively about disappointing people, or feeling responsible for maintaining harmony in relationships.

This ongoing emotional pressure can contribute to:

• chronic anxiety

• emotional overwhelm

• panic symptoms

• difficulty sleeping

• burnout

• emotional numbness

• resentment

• low self-worth

• depression

For many people, depression does not always look like sadness alone. It can also look like emotional exhaustion, feeling disconnected from yourself, losing motivation, feeling hopeless, or functioning through life while internally feeling depleted.

Often, individuals have spent years ignoring their own needs while carrying emotional responsibilities for others.

High-Functioning Anxiety and Emotional Exhaustion

Many people struggling with people pleasing are highly functioning.

They continue going to work, caregiving, parenting, supporting others, achieving goals, and appearing “fine” externally while internally feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

This is especially common among:

• caregivers

• helping professionals

• immigrants and newcomers

• high-achieving individuals

• women balancing multiple responsibilities

• individuals raised in environments where emotions were minimized

Over time, the body often begins communicating stress through physical symptoms such as:

• chronic tension

• stomach issues

• headaches

• fatigue

• difficulty relaxing

• nervous system dysregulation

• sleep difficulties

• panic or chest tightness

The body often carries what emotions have not had space to fully process.

Therapy for People Pleasing in Coquitlam

Therapy is not about becoming selfish or no longer caring about others.

Rather, therapy can help individuals:

• understand the roots of people-pleasing patterns

• strengthen boundaries

• reconnect with their needs and emotions

• reduce anxiety and emotional overwhelm

• build self-trust

• develop healthier relationship dynamics

• process grief, trauma, or relational wounds

• create more sustainable ways of caring for themselves and others

Healing often involves learning that your needs, emotions, rest, and boundaries matter too.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Registered Social Worker (RSW), I offer trauma-informed counselling in Coquitlam for individuals navigating:

• anxiety and chronic stress

• depression and emotional exhaustion

• burnout and caregiver fatigue

• people-pleasing patterns

• relationship challenges

• grief and loss

• immigration and settlement stress

• geopolitical stress and collective grief

• life transitions and identity challenges

My approach is warm, relational, culturally responsive, and non-pathologizing. I integrate evidence-based approaches, including EMDR therapy, mindfulness, somatic awareness, and nervous system-focused work while moving at a pace that feels emotionally safe and supportive.

Counselling in Coquitlam and Across BC

I offer:

• In-person counselling in Coquitlam

• Virtual counselling across British Columbia

• Counselling in English and Farsi

• Free 15-minute consultations

If you have been searching for a therapist near you for anxiety and depression, support for burnout, or counselling for people pleasing and emotional overwhelm, you are welcome to connect.

Maryam Counselling Services

Maryam Haghshenas, RCC, RSW

Trauma-Informed Counselling in Coquitlam for Anxiety, Burnout, Grief, Immigration Stress, and Life Transitions

📍 Coquitlam, BC
💻 Virtual Counselling Across BC
🌿 English & Farsi Counselling Available