You know that there is much to do, but you can’t seem to bring yourself to do any of the tasks at hand. Is there a reason to worry? Maybe not. Maybe you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Maybe it will pass. When avoidance persists, however, to the point of affecting your life and work, you may be extremely overwhelmed and perhaps even on your way to burnout.

Annie Wright, in an article posted in The Mighty, says that “life can feel hard. Really hard sometimes. The daily stuff of our own individual lives—the Adulting and Humaning we’re all called upon to do each and every waking day—isn’t always fun, glamorous or easy.” Being an adult can be very challenging. You have many responsibilities and goals, and a time frame to meet them.

Achieving your goals can be more difficult when you are feeling overwhelmed, especially if you are also dealing with mental health symptoms. Counseling can help you to face and survive adult overwhelm with success.

Behind Adult Overwhelm

Being an adult has its advantages, but it also comes with a lot of challenges and responsibilities. There are so many tasks involved in taking care of yourself, others, your home and your career. These responsibilities can motivate you AND they can overwhelm you. Life is short, so you may find yourself wanting to accomplish your goals as soon as possible. That, however, can add even more pressure on you.

Part of becoming an adult is the opportunity to develop a deeper sensitivity, which can make you vulnerable to the frailties of human nature. Dr. Irvin Yalom, author of Existential Psychotherapy, says humans have four ultimate concerns: death, freedom and responsibility, isolation, and meaninglessness. These concerns can be much like our responsibilities, motivating us or truly leaving us feeling paralyzed by overwhelm. There is of course a lot of middle ground, though most of us find ourselves struggling with extremes.

Changes and Challenges That Lead to Overwhelm

Being responsible for the important people and things in your life can be overwhelming. Having a perfectionist, ambitious, or overzealous attitude can make you more vulnerable to emotional overwhelm. Negative life transitions like losing someone very dear can bring about overwhelm.

Furthermore, not all significant life transitions are negative; any change or challenge that demands time and attention can overwhelm you. Even positive changes—marriage, job promotion, a fast-growing business, or the birth of a child—may contribute to overwhelm. Feeling overwhelmed can drain you of joy and enthusiasm, decreasing productivity and making it difficult to see meaning in your life. Feeling that things are meaningless can also make you more prone to overwhelm.

The Impact of Overwhelm

What is emotional overwhelm and why is it an important concern? According to Good Therapy, it is “a state of being beset by intense emotion that is difficult to manage, can often affect a person’s ability to think and act rationally or perform in an efficient and functional manner.” The American Psychological Association (APA) says that overwhelm among adults can significantly shake your physical and emotional health.

It can contribute to or complicate hypertension, heart issues, or diabetes. It can also weaken your immune defenses and make you eat more, contributing to weight gain and obesity. In addition, overwhelm can trigger or worsen sleep issues. According to the APA, several studies have revealed that overwhelm and stress are also linked to depression, anxiety, and the tendency to abuse substances.

Conditions that Aggravate Overwhelm

There are other factors that can make overwhelm more complicated, such as issues in your relationships or at work or school. Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, can also make your state of emotional overwhelm more complex. For instance, adjustment can be tougher for those with ADHD, for whom the “world is curvilinear.” According to Dr. William Dodson, the “past, present, and future are never separate and distinct for people with ADHD… as ADHDers experience life more intensely than neurotypicals … Everything is now and that can complicate everyday life, work, and relationships.” Life is riddled with countless reasons and opportunities for overwhelm, but you control how you manage it.

How Can Therapy Help?

Just living life can bring about numerous reasons to be overwhelmed. Striving to be a good person who is loving, responsible, and caring, as well as an achiever who is a perfectionist, organized, and prompt, can overwhelm you. By being human, you are vulnerable to pain, frustration, and getting overworked and tired.

You need someone to talk to: a professional who can help you resolve your issues and realize that there is only so much you can do. Overwhelm can make you less productive. It can make your relationships, health, and work performance suffer. It can leave you feeling distressed and anxious. If you need help, don’t waste time. Carolina Counseling Services in Southern Pines, NC contracts with skilled licensed therapists. Call now to schedule your first appointment.

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