High-Functioning, Overwhelmed, and Tired: When Therapy Can Help
Wondering if you are ready for therapy? Learn the subtle signs that support could help, even if you are functioning well. A guide for women navigating ADHD, perimenopause, stress, and burnout.
You have heard the saying before, “you can do anything you want, but not everything you want”.
You know this. You understand it. Yet you secretly believe you can be the exception to the rule. You can beat the odds, and ‘figure it out’.
You spend years trying to prove it wrong. You work harder. You become more organized. You try and be a better parent, a better spouse, a better friend, a better employee. You volunteer for one more thing, take on one more responsibility, and show up for one more person.
The problem is that something always gets left behind. More often than not, that something is YOU!
You remember everyone’s appointments but forget your own needs
you spend so much energy trying to stay organized, focused and emotionally regulated that there is nothing left for yourself.
You keep telling yourself if you just try a little harder, manage your time a little better, or become a little more efficient, you will finally be able to do it.
You adapt because that is what you have always done. You figure it out and keep going. People compliment you on how you get it all done, they say things like, “oh, I could never do all that”. The problem is that you do not have the luxury of not getting it done. you are tired of always having to figure it out.
What others do not see is the emotional labor of managing not only your own feelings, but often everyone else’s as well. The constant planning, the endless decision making, and how hard you are working just to keep everything together.
Many women think this is just how things are supposed to be. You feel like everyone else has it figured out except you. You feel alone and isolated and cannot understand why you just can not “get it together”. I am here to tell you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
This is where therapy can be beneficial. You may have spent years developing systems, coping strategies and routines to help manage life. You may have become incredibly skilled at masking your struggles and compensating for difficulties with focus, organization, or executive functioning. Just because you have learned to manage, or given the illusion of managing it, does not mean you are doing fine. I understand that! Managing and thriving are not the same thing.
Here is what therapy with me can offer:
A place where you do not have to be responsible for anyone else
A place where you do not have to have all the answers
A place where the focus gets to be on you
A place where we discover needs, goals, and hopes
A place where you can reconnect with yourself
Most importantly, therapy can help you recognize that your worth is not determined by much you accomplish or how much you do for others. You do not have to earn rest, you do not have to justify your need for support, and you do not have to wait until everything falls apart. It is OK to seek support because life feels harder than it needs to.
You are allowed peace
You are allowed balance
You are allowed to want more than survival
You are allowed to want a life that feels meaningful, connected, and sustainable.
Maybe it is not “are you struggling enough”. Maybe it is whether you are tired of carrying everything alone.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the cycle of trying harder and doing more, therapy can help. I will help you reconnect with the version of yourself that exists beyond the endless to-do list.
At Inner Embodiment Counseling, I work with women struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, perfectionism, and the constant feeling that you should be doing more. I would love to come alongside you and support you to start living with intention and self-trust.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation by phone, text, or email.
Kimberly Vansickel, MA, LPC, CEDS
Kimberly@innerembodimentcounseling.com
903-206-1610
Myths About Eating Disorders
Myths about Eating Disorders
There are lots of myths and common misconceptions about eating disorders. Some of the myths are that people choose to have an eating disorder, or they are not serious, or everyone has them now, or only females get eating disorders, or someone has to look a certain way, or they do not have an eating disorder. All of these are common myths and misconceptions surrounding eating disorders, and they can be harmful to people seeking treatment, or even prevent people from seeking treatment. I want to challenge these myths and beliefs and explore what the research tells us about eating disorders.
1) Are Eating Disorders a choice?
No, eating disorders are not a choice.
They are a bio-psycho-social disease, which means that many factors play a role including: genetics, biological, environmental, and social elements.
They commonly co-occur with other mental health conditions such as, depression, anxiety, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
2) Are eating disorders really that serious?
Yes, eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness behind opiate addiction.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for those diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Health consequences of an eating disorder can include heart attack, kidney failure, osteoporosis, and electrolyte imbalances.
Those with eating disorders can also experience intense emotional distress that can interfere with daily functioning and impact their quality of life.
3) Doesn’t everyone have an eating disorder these days?
While our current culture is obsessed with food and weight, and disordered eating patterns are common, clinical eating disorders represent about 9% of the US population.
This overgeneralization can be harmful to those that struggle with these serious conditions.
Reducing eating disorders to a trend undermines the seriousness of the issue.
Each person’s experience is unique and deserving of understanding.
4) Aren’t eating disorders a female thing?
Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender or sex.
Research shows that eating disorders are nearly as common in men as women.
It is more prevalent among those who identify as transgender or non-binary.
5) I don’t look like I have an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are not confined to any one appearance or body type.
They can affect anyone regardless of their size or appearance.
You cannot tell by just looking at someone if they have an eating disorder or not.
6) Doesn’t recovery take a long time?
Recovery varies from person to person.
It is a marathon, not a sprint.
There are a number of factors that can affect the length of time it takes to recover:
The severity of the eating disorder
The presence of other mental conditions
The person’s motivation to recover
The quality of treatment
The person’s age and weight
Recovery is a process that includes medical, psychological, and nutrition treatment.
Debunking the myths about eating disorders is essential for fostering a more accurate and compassionate understanding of these complex conditions. Recognizing that eating disorders come in various forms and affect people of all body types helps dispel harmful stereotypes and encourages more inclusive conversations. By acknowledging that these disorders are not solely about appearance but are deeply rooted in emotional and psychological struggles, we can support those who are suffering without judgement or misunderstanding. It is crucial to approach this topic with empathy and education, ensuring that everyone who struggles with an eating disorder receives the respect and help they deserve, regardless of how their condition might manifest outwardly.
If you are not sure if you or someone you know has an eating disorder, reach out to someone who is knowledgeable in the eating disorder field. A good place to start is someone that is HAES aligned. This could be a doctor, therapist, or a registered dietician. There are some helpful resources below that can help you find someone as well.
Resources:
Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders