Overwhelm and Parenthood:
They Don’t Have to be Lifelong Partners

If you are reading this article, you could be juggling parenting, work, running a household, having a social life, etc. If you often find yourself making sacrifices or trade offs, or you always feel guilty, you could be experiencing overwhelm. Too often we assume that if you are a parent you WILL be overwhelmed. While this can be true, it doesn’t have to be how you feel ALL the time. Breaking this cycle can be challenging, therapy can help. 

If you are overwhelmed or burned-out, you can perform more poorly in all life areas, at home, work, school etc. No one can do it all, including you. If you are feeling chronically overwhelmed it is important to do something about it, before it turns into burnout.

The Three Stage of Parental Burnout

Burnout occurs when when our stress exceeds our ability to cope. We all have a breaking point. Isabelle Roskam, PhD and Moira Mikolajczak, PhD found after extensive research that parental burnout tends to occur in three stages; 

  1. Physical and emotional exhaustion
  2. Distancing emotionally from children in order to try to save energy
  3. Lack of fulfillment in parenting role

It is only natural that feeling overwhelmed chronically will lead to burnout. Having awareness of these stages can be helpful in identifying when it is time to ask for help. 

How Can Counseling Help with Burnout

Counseling can help with a variety of concerns, including overwhelm and burnout. We know that burnout occurs when we no longer have the capacity to cope with what is going on for us. Counseling can help you to expand your coping strategies and take a hard look at what is contributing to your overwhelm. 

We often have unrealistic expectations of what we can do and accomplish. There are only 24 hours in a day, however, we often put 30 hours of work on our plate each day. Therapy can help you to break this toxic cycle. 

Restoring Balance with CCS

Recognizing the signs of overwhelm promptly and seeking professional help can save you from burnout. Early intervention can help restore your productivity while striking that fragile balance between your family life and career. Therapy can help you stop unhealthy patterns and expand your ability to cope. 

Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC contracts with skilled licensed counselors and therapists who know how to effectively treat overwhelm and burnout. You aren’t alone. Finding the therapist that is right for you is easier than ever before with CCS. Call today to schedule your first appointment. Online counseling and in person sessions are available!

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