The Lethal Dangers Of Being Rich And Successful

His clients are global superstars, royalty and billionaire titans of industry but they’re all suffering from the same thing – the fall out of being mega rich, successful and famous.

While many envy their glitzy lifestyle – all private jets, world power and penthouses – behind the scenes these are the people who are lonely in a crowd, are surrounded by self-seeking sycophants and have no one they can trust. 

Their kind are easy to spot – they’re the likes of Justin Bieber, Prince Harry, Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears, not that Jan Gerber, the founder and CEO of the world’s most exclusive and expensive leading mental health clinic would ever confirm or deny the names of any of his clients. 

World’s Elite

But he will say that he regularly treats Hollywood A-listers, Nepo babies, business tycoons – including many from the Middle East, especially Dubai – and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) at the $100,000 dollars-a-week (AED367,000) Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich where clients are picked up in a Bentley, stay in luxurious penthouses and have their meals cooked by a Michelin-star chef. 

And Jan, 44, says we should feel sorry for the mega rich and famous as it is these very qualities – ones that most of us can only dream of – that cause many of their problems, which include addiction, eating disorders, burnout, anxiety and a sense of detachment. To put it bluntly: wealth isn’t good for your mental health.

‘I would say that 80 to 90 per cent of the rich and famous have an addiction of some kind,’ he’s been quoted as saying. ‘Wealth can make a person more likely to abuse substances, and narcissistic personality disorder is common among patients. Studies have shown that the more wealth one acquires, the more morally ambiguous one can become.’ 

Today, Jan, is talking from Zurich, where he opened the exclusive addiction and mental health boutique clinic in 2012, after a whirlwind visit to the UAE. 

‘It’s important to understand that wealth doesn’t shelter people from pain,’ Jan says. ‘They are still human beings with the same insecurities, who still suffer heartbreak when someone close to them dies or their relationship breaks down. The pain is real and no less valid because someone is very wealthy or known the world over. They deserve the same compassion and care as everyone else.’ 

Jan, a former management consultant, visits the Middle East and particularly the UAE often – to meet with potential and former patients, and to give talks about the dangers of success and the pressure of wealth. 

Lethal Loneliness

That’s because it’s not just pop stars, actors and members of royal families from around the world that are at risk. Successful expats in the UAE can suffer the same symptoms of the mega rich and famous – whose breakdowns, or bad behaviour make global headlines – but which, at the end of the day, suggests Jan, boils down to one thing: loneliness. 

‘Neglecting your mental health can make you physically sick,’ Jan tells The Ethicalist. ‘Studies have shown that if you don’t get help, it can shorten your life significantly. Loneliness kills more people than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined. 

‘Look closely at the successful people who are happy and you’ll see they are in a committed, deep and meaningful relationship which gives them stability and keeps them grounded, meaning they can balance their success, wealth and mental health.’

Mental Health Crisis

Right now, Jan says that the GCC is going through a ‘mental health crisis’ where 60 per cent of workers report poor mental health, one in three executives are suffering from burnout and 55 per cent feel distressed. 

‘High achievers are particularly at risk,’ he explains. ‘Being a perfectionist and very ambitious means working so much harder and there’s a fear of being seen as weak and so high achievers bottle up their feelings. 

‘The UAE is a transient place. Expats can be here for a year, or ten, or more, but nobody knows how long they will stay, and so it’s hard to make meaningful friendships – let alone find romance – because everything is in flux. 

‘It’s difficult to find people to trust – which is the basis of friendship – and so many people here feel lost or alone in a crowd. 

‘Loneliness is an emotional pain and the human instinct is to avoid pain. But by doing that it can escalate the problem and lead to panic attacks, self-medication, disrupted sleep, a lack of purpose and destructive behaviour, such as not turning up to sign an important contract.’

Research has proved that long-lasting loneliness not only makes people sick – it’s a killer. Emotional isolation is a high a risk factor for mortality as smoking. The list of diseases thought to be caused by loneliness include Alzheimer’s, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, disease and even cancer – tumours have been shown to metastasize faster in lonely people. 

The UAE’s rapid economic growth has led to the emergence of numerous high-net-worth families, and with it, the need for robust mental health support systems. The UAE has recognised there is a connection between wealth and health and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, put in place an AED 105 million initiative as part of its social agenda 33  to support residents and citizens cope with the challenges of day-to-day life in a major city like Dubai.

That’s because top earners are twice, or even three times more anxious than the general population. The relentless drive to succeed may lead to greater stress, pushing individuals deeper into emotional turmoil. In places like the UAE, where reputation is paramount, the stakes are even higher.

‘It can be seen as weak to admit you have a problem,’ Jan explains. ‘And it can pose a huge problem for a business if the CEO is suffering from burnout or trying to manage their poor mental health. It could lead to jitters in the market place about the future of the business and could cost a company a lot of money in lost contracts. 

‘That’s why many people end up self-medicating or suffering a breakdown when they do, in fact, need professional help.’ 

Wealth-Health Paradox Framework

In fact, Jan, refers to the wealth-health paradox framework that the clinic has created to explain how wealth can be a potentially destructive force. Not only does it map out what distinct psychological burdens a lot of money can bring, but it also shows how those stressors can impact mental health, well-being and longevity. 

It’s sober reading. The very traits that enable certain people to become wealthy – the ambitions that drive them to success and the insecurities hidden beneath – intensify once they’re rich. And though wealth is supposed to improve lives, it is often the thing that destroys it. 

‘Conditions like depression, anxiety, burnout, eating disorders, substance abuse and ADHD ­– which are more prevalent among UHNW individuals – have been shown to reduce lifespan by up to 15 years,’ it states.  

And that’s just for the first generation – the ones that built up the family business, for example. For the next generation – the so-called Nepo babies – they often feel as though they can never achieve as much as their parent, suffer a lack of purpose and are bored because they simply ‘have it all.’ 

Throw in a sense of distrust of others growing up – ‘are they just using me?’, a failure to be seen as an individual in your own right, and a false sense of freedom – and there’s a whole wealthy generation heading for trouble, warns Jan. 

Research shows that adolescents from wealthy families are two to three times more prone to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse compared to their peers. Individuals from affluent backgrounds are 50 per cent more likely to feel isolated.

As the UAE continues to be a hub for business tycoons, entrepreneurs, and affluent families, addressing mental health among this demographic is increasingly important.

So how do you make sure you’re balancing your wealth and mental health? At Paracelsus Recovery, a vast team, including a chauffeur, butler and that private chef are on hand along with all the medical professionals to treat patients – up to a maximum of four at a time at several addresses across the city. Views overlook Lake Zurich while there’s access to a five-star spa, privacy and round-the-clock care. 

The dedicated team of specialists create a bespoke residential treatment program that includes psychiatry, therapy, hospital treatment if needed, nutrition, sound healing, and acupuncture. Clients can also choose to do yoga, have massages, and have a personal trainer. Many patients continue to work so it’s rare for even their closest associates to know they’re undergoing treatment. 

Clients are encouraged to try something new – such as hang-gliding. Every whim is catered for. One movie star bought five dogs with them.  

‘This is a demographic who are used to having anything and everything they want,’ explains Jan. ‘They expect a certain standard and we are replicating that so that they feel comfortable and can focus on treatment and their recovery. 

‘And in Zurich they aren’t bothered like they might be elsewhere. We were treating one Hollywood actress who is very well known recently and she went to Starbucks and was only asked for an autograph by one person. No one took pictures. The Swiss just don’t think or behave like that. 

‘Our famous clients already have security or are used to slipping around undetected by being in disguise – they will wear face masks or wigs. We are here to support them with their recovery. It’s important to get help before their problems escalate.’

For the ultra-wealthy the cost of the world’s most expensive clinic is small change – but a great investment into their own mental well-being. After all, as the CEO of Paracelsus Recovery warns, things will only get harder for the rich and famous.  

‘The pressures associated with huge wealth increase every year in line with advances in technology and other global developments,’ he says. In a place like the UAE that means the rich and successful taking extra care to balance their health with their wealth. If they don’t, the outcome could be fatal.