In a recent LinkedIn post, Tim Denning shares a deeply personal account of struggling with anxiety and mental health challenges throughout his career, urging a greater openness and acceptance within the corporate world. Denning details years of hiding his internal turmoil, describing the physical and emotional toll it took while he observed colleagues seemingly thriving.
“For 5 years I sat in meetings with my heart racing. Hands shaking under the table. Smile plastered on while my brain screamed ‘get out, get out, get out.'”
Denning recounts the intense fear and physical symptoms he experienced, including panic attacks that led him to call in sick. He highlights the stark contrast between his internal struggle and the outward appearance of normalcy and success in his peers. This period of hiding his condition, he explains, consumed a significant amount of his energy.
The Turning Point and Unexpected Support
The narrative takes a critical turn when Denning experienced a severe panic attack during a meeting, ultimately leading him to confess his anxiety to his boss. Contrary to his fears of judgment or negative repercussions, Denning found unexpected understanding and support.
“His response shocked me: ‘My son has panic attacks too. Let’s figure this out.'”
This moment of vulnerability and acceptance, as Denning describes, was a catalyst for change. He outlines the practical accommodations that followed, such as remote work flexibility, reduced presentation load, and the permission to use sick days for mental health needs. These adjustments, he argues, did not hinder his performance but rather enabled it to improve significantly.
Breaking the Silence: A Wider Impact
Denning further illustrates the pervasive nature of hidden mental health struggles by recounting an experience two years later. When he mentioned his anxiety in a team meeting, several colleagues privately reached out, revealing their own similar battles. This experience led him to conclude that many in the professional world suffer in silence.
Challenging the Stigma
Denning forcefully challenges the notion that mental illness is a sign of weakness or a career-ending condition. He advocates for viewing mental health issues as manageable conditions, akin to physical ailments.
“Your mental illness isn’t weakness. It’s not career su!cide. It’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s just another thing to manage. Like diabetes or bad knees.”
He emphasizes the power of disclosure, suggesting that confiding in just one trusted individual can be a pivotal step toward managing one’s mental health at work. Denning’s core message is that bringing these hidden struggles into the open is crucial for individual well-being and professional success. He concludes by encouraging those experiencing similar challenges to speak up, asserting that mental illness is not a taboo subject but a normal aspect of human experience that deserves open discussion and support.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Tim Denning on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on December 11, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →