When people are overwhelmed it is the intensity of their feelings that they are reacting to. The intensity of depression or mania or other states has reached a point at which they are not capable of responding to circumstances in a way that they feel is productive and helpful. It becomes very important to understand what aspect of our lives is feeling this intensity. Is it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, career/financial? Is it a combination of these? Rather than focusing on the behaviors that are reactions to these feelings, first we need to get very clear on the feelings themselves, and the intensity level of these feelings. Being overwhelmed by the intensity of a state is easier to address if we can first identify the sensations that tell us we are overwhelmed.
Some people describe -
Physical sensations: sweating, elevated heart rate, shortness of breath, panic attacks
Mental: unable to concentrate or learn, distracted, negative thoughts loop.
Emotional: fear, paranoia, distanced from giving and receiving, not worthy, incapable.
Spiritual: prayer, reflection, meditation seem too difficult or unfulfilling.
Social: afraid to be with people, feeling isolated, worried what others think
Career/Financial: fear, panic, distrust, unable to make decisions, unable to participate at appropriate level.
Some therapists ask if you can identify your stress separately from your ability to deal with your stress. One of the core 8 courses, Finding Your Most Productive Zone, covers the Awareness piece in much more detail. It is essential to recognize these sensations and feelings. Awareness is one of the keys to helping you gain control.
The next section is on tools to lower the intensity so that you can have a choice in how you respond or react to being overwhelmed.
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