Stress and Burnout – Realities of our Choices

Stress and burnout often result when we simply take on too much, believing that somehow there is a formula which will enable us to do more and more.  I seldom find people who are looking to fill their time.   New opportunities arise and it seems that we must relinquish something in order to take on something new – or else suffer the emotional, psychological and physically unhealthy repercussions.

Just as the business owner must learn to delegate and leverage their resources of time, money, knowledge etc with those of others, where can we learn to collaborate so we can achieve a more fulfilled and balanced lifestyle – with room for the important things that make life worth living?  If not, what is all this stress and burnout there to tell us?

Addiction – Abnormal or self-medication?

Everyday Addictions?

Addictions takes over an individual’s life with all efforts  focused on obtaining the stimulant – whether illegal drugs, alcohol, sex or the internet. Addictions like excessive alcohol or illegal drugs tend to be frowned upon and seen negatively.  However, the use of prescribed medication (although still powerful drugs) are socially sanctioned and because prescribed by medical practitioners, are considered acceptable.

In my work with clients addicted to illegal drugs,  their use is usually a form of self-medication to anaethetise them from pain – whether physical or usually emotional.   But what about socially sanctioned stimulants like coffee?  I recently overheard someone at a cafe say ‘It’s medication time!’ as they ordered their coffee.  Whilst humorous, I reflected on how coffee has become an acceptable and seemingly essential aspect of public life, particularly in cities?  How addictive are these behaviours and what might they be covering up?  Certainly stimulants like nicotine and alcohol are used to manage mood – coffee is loosely in this category, albeit totally acceptable – as indeed alcohol is in moderation or excess (in certain groups).

As with all behaviours, when it appears to be without choice but a driving dependency, it is time to seek ways to understand the drive and seek more constructive ways to manage oneself and one’s mood.

Bi-Polar Disorder – Chemical or life imbalance?

Bi-Polar Disorder is characterised by a cycle of manic behaviour and debilitating depression.  Anyone who has suffered or observed the process, might readily accept explanations of chemical imbalance since what else could cause such extremes of behaviour and mood?  When experiencing mania, the individual has enormous energy and can work on something for hours without a break, with little awareness of bodily needs such as food, sleep or bathroom visits.  Mood is elevated and people around often find this behaviour overbearing or intense.  The individual often reports feeling peak experiences or creativity, optimism and energy.  Then the mood changes – the individual is plunged into depression, darkness and with so little motivation they may not be able to get out of bed.   Is this due to chemical imbalances or is there more to this?

Whilst there is evidence that chemical changes do occur in the body that directly relate to mood, my own experience of working with this syndrome indicates it is often related to living contrary to one’s desires and aspirations.  This may be sound trivial since the sufferer indeed finds their life dramatically disrupted.  However, when  a sufferer dares to explore beneath the surface, it is often the case that their symptoms distract them from addressing important questions about their life choices.

For the many individuals I have worked with who have been labelled bi-polar disorder, psychological counselling reveals an event or series of events that inhibit the individual truly choosing their life direction – and the question remains ‘What comes first?  Chemical imbalance or life imbalance?’