Startup Job Sparks Panic Attacks, Woman Chooses Mental Health

Toxic work culture prompts mass resignations in Bengaluru company.

A 25-year-old woman in **Bengaluru** made a significant decision to leave her well-paid position at a startup, prioritizing her mental health over career advancement after experiencing debilitating panic attacks. This bold move is now drawing attention online.

Breaking Point

The woman shared on Reddit that the work environment had deteriorated to such an extent that she would suffer panic attacks even before arriving at the office. “I’m a 25F based in Bengaluru. I recently put in my papers after months of going through mental harassment at work,” she wrote.

She continued, “I was working as a Product Experience Manager at a major startup and honestly, it got to a point where I would have panic attacks before even stepping into the office. Things were just that bad.”

What’s more, she said, “it wasn’t just me, almost my entire team ended up quitting because of how toxic things had become. I held on as long as I could, but I knew I had to choose my mental health over everything else.”

Following her resignation, she plans to dedicate four months to finding a new role, ideally in customer experience, operations, or product consulting, with a preference for remote or hybrid options. According to a recent Gallup poll, 76% of employees report experiencing burnout sometimes, and 28% say they feel burned out very often or always (Gallup, 2023).

Rising Concerns

Her situation is not unique. Social media platforms are increasingly filled with accounts of workplace harassment, reflecting a broader issue in corporate culture. Some employees choose to fight back, while others silently endure the stress. The **Bengaluru** woman’s story has resonated with many online.

The woman’s post sparked conversations about the prevalence of toxic work environments in Indian startups. One user commented, “Looks like bad work culture is a norm in Indian startups. Founders burning investor money and expecting 1 person to do 3 people’s work to compensate for that.”

Another user questioned, “Don’t know what is happening in Indian corporate culture. Every industry you look at, they have a toxic work culture. Is there even a single Indian company where someone can work peacefully?”

Another Incident

In a separate incident, another employee recounted having a breakdown during a video call while working from home. During the meeting, the CEO allegedly raised his voice and prevented the employee from speaking. The employee became overwhelmed, experienced breathing difficulties, and collapsed, requiring hospitalization.

These stories highlight the growing need for companies to prioritize employee mental health and foster healthier work environments. The decision of the **Bengaluru** woman underscores the importance of recognizing personal limits and making choices that support well-being, even when it means leaving a high-paying job.