Client Information
Handout on Overload
Handout on Overload - Client Information Introduction For effective functioning it is important to have a balance between burden and capacity. Burden is the demands placed on you by yourself or others, and capacity is your ability to meet those demands. Overload occurs when the demand over a period of time is greater than the capacity to manage it. Below, we look at the consequences of overload. Burden Burden is divided into three categories: I. Obligations These are the things that we must do regularly: work, chores, volunteering, study, working for an association or club, etc., and other responsibilities you may have taken on II. Life Events These events only occur once or at the most a few times in a lifetime. Many events (even happy events) both small and large can be an emotional shock: for example, unemployment, divorce, a change of jobs, an accident, moving house, having a child III. Problems Problems always require extra energy, because you must solve, suppress or evade them. A person can have all sorts of problems, big and small, and in numerous areas:
Problems with your own thoughts; becoming tangled in your thinking; not seeing the way forward Problems with other people (spouse, children, family, friends, customers, clients, etc.) Problems with official bodies Problems with work Housing problems Financial problems Problems with social conditions (discrimination, etc.)
Overload may result from an excess of obligations, life events and problems. Ability to Cope A person’s ability to cope is largely determined by the immediate situation and his mental and physical state. The determinants are not equal for everyone. Capacity for coping can change at certain stages in your life (puberty, ‘transition’, pregnancy, after childbirth, the days before menstruation, old age) when significant physical changes can occur. A temporary reduction in capacity may also result from lack of sleep, illness, and drug and alcohol use.
388 Roncesvalles Ave, Suite 200 Toronto, ON M6R 2M9 T 866.226.9262 F 416.588.9235 www.banyanconsultants.com
Page 2
Overload may result from an excess of obligations, life events and problems
Demand
Ability to cope
Obligations (work, family, leisure) Life events Problems
Mental strength Physical strength Social support Control options
Overload Ability to cope
A person’s ability to cope is largely determined by the immediate andbetween his mentaldemand and For effective functioning, it is important that there is asituation balance and ability physical state. The determinants are not equal for everyone. Capacity for coping can change at demand or a to cope. The figure above shows that overload can be caused by an excessive certain stages in your (puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, days before reduced ability to life cope, or ‘transition’, a combination of after both. In thetheshort term overload is not menstruation, old age) when significant physical changes can occur. A temporary in dangerous, as we all possess reserves. However, if the overloadreduction continues, the reserves capacity may also result from lack of sleep, illness, and drug and alcohol use. become exhausted. This can create a dangerous situation: a person can (physically and mentally) ‘collapse’ under the pressure of the overload.
Over load
Overload caused by two of phenomena: For effective functioning, it istypes important that there is a balance between demand and ability to cope. The figure above shows that overload can be caused by an excessive demand or a Symptoms of to physical mental exhaustion: reduced ability cope, or and a combination of both. In the short term overload is not dangerous, as we all possess reserves. However, if the overload continues, the reserves become This can creategreat a dangerous a person exhausted. Fatigue, lethargy, needsituation: for sleep, loss can of (physically initiative and andmentally) interest, concentration and ‘collapse’ under the pressure of the overload. memory problems, etc.
Over load caused by two types of phenomena: Symptoms of stress:
· Symptoms of physical and mental exhaustion: Psychological restlessness, tension, - Fatigue,symptoms: lethargy, great need for sleep, loss lethargy, of initiative and interest, anxiety, poor sleep, nightmares, emotional instability (crying), irritability, etc. concentration and memory problems, etc. Physical symptoms: · Symptoms of stress: headache, dizziness, neck pain, stomach upset, chest pain, palpitations, abdominal discomfort, etc.
The stressinto symptoms be interpreted as an alarm reaction. Like a red8 light, the body Translated English by can S.E. Lagerveld and S Carolan (2011) warns that a dangerous degree of overload has been reached In some cases, these reactions also occur with under load. In a situation of under load, there is also an imbalance between demand and capacity to cope.
388 Roncesvalles Ave, Suite 200 Toronto, ON M6R 2M9 T 866.226.9262 F 416.588.9235 www.banyanconsultants.com
Page 3
We speak of under load when less is asked from a person than he is capable of. The person then works below his capability and the work gives the person no satisfaction. This situation may arise, for example, in a person working on an assembly line. Tips for dealing with symptoms resulting from overload
It is important that you take your symptoms seriously. Your reactions are a normal response (see ‘symptom overload’) to an abnormal situation. Be patient with yourself; you cannot force your recovery by a specified date. By attempting this you will put pressure on yourself, which will waste energy and have the opposite effect. In the beginning of your absence from work you must rest and restrict physical activity to relaxing activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, gardening. In the beginning you may attempt smaller jobs that can be completed at a steady pace. In the beginning it is important that if you suspect that certain problems have contributed to your current situation, leave them alone to begin with. Don’t try to come up with a solution immediately, as solving problems can take energy which you don’t currently have.
After a few weeks it is important to start your gradual recovery as follows:
It is important to begin to resume activity gradually Gradually begin to prepare a daily schedule which combines strenuous and relaxing activities A gradual increase in physical and mental effort leads to a reduction in fatigue Reflect on your whole situation; look for causes of the current situation. Have you got too much on your plate? Do you have too many problems? What has happened recently? Some events only lead to symptoms and the need for help/ further processing months later. Talk regularly about your situation with your partner and/or with others. Allow yourself to think/ puzzle about the past, what has happened and how you arrived in this situation. Sometimes it is helpful to write down your anxious, puzzling thoughts. Gradually make a list of all the contributing factors, and see what you can do about these things
Translated into English by S.E. Lagerveld and S Carolan
388 Roncesvalles Ave, Suite 200 Toronto, ON M6R 2M9 T 866.226.9262 F 416.588.9235 www.banyanconsultants.com