In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of startups, the path to success is often paved with unexpected challenges and an emotional state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty. The startup experience can feel like a relentless rollercoaster, leaving many founders and teams grappling with a phenomenon known as “startup trauma.” Startup trauma is the cumulative stress and emotional toll that the startup journey can take on individuals and teams. It’s not a formal diagnosis, but it captures the profound impact high-pressure, fast-paced environments have on mental and emotional well-being. Common signs of startup trauma include burnout, anxiety, depression, isolation, and a crippling fear of failure. These experiences can leave founders and…
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Overthinking as a Solution
“But you can overthink!” said a friend. This was when I shared my thoughts and assumptions on something we were working on. Their rebuke called me to the realization that I was different from them. It might feel like you’re the only one lying awake at night, dwelling on a decision you made earlier that day or worrying about tomorrow’s to-do list. You are not alone. You have found your tribe. There is research that suggests 73% of 25- to 35-year-olds chronically overthink, along with 52% of people ages 45 to 55, so you are not alone. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” ~Marcus…
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The Different Forms of Mental Illness Treatments
There are three contributors to mental illness and each has its own form of treatment. These contributors include Biological, Psychological, and Social which were written about in-depth in the Causes of mental illness and their diagnosis technique. Below are the treatment measures to use. So, for Biological factors treatments, they are traditionally divided into four categories Antipsychotic drugs or neuroleptics, used to treat psychosis. Antidepressant drugs used to treat depression. Anti maniac drugs, or mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder. Anxiolytics, used to treat anxious states Psychological factors treatments are also called psychotherapies. Psychotherapy can be defined (modified from Wolberg) as, the treatment by psychological means, of the problems…
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Causes of Mental Illness – Biopsychosocial Model
According to Dr. Kenneth Kalinaki from the Ministry of Health Uganda, the causes of mental illness can be investigated with the biopsychosocial model which states that the workings of the body, mind, and environment all affect each other. According to this model, none of these factors in isolation is sufficient to lead definitively to health or illness—it is the deep interrelation of all three components that leads to a given outcome. This blog as one of the series I am writing about mental illness as a way to create awareness about mental health has details of how this comes about and diagnosis for the different common mental illnesses. The factors mentioned…
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Understanding Mental Illness
We are still in the month of October which is filled with a focus on mental health education and depression awareness, I have decided to post back-to-back blogs about this. This is because there is a need to create more awareness. Also, because this particular topic is close to my heart. Evidence can be found in some of my blogs here. So, what is mental illness? Before we go there, what is health and what would be your mental health? According to the World Health Organization, Health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.“ And Mental…
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Anxiety = Living on the Run
Living with anxiety feels a lot like living on the run—except you’re running away from your own life. The things adulthood teaches us! Anyway, while you run from your life panic settles in your chest as you try desperately to escape to a safe place that seems just out of reach. Worries swirl around in your head at a speed that makes it hard to breathe, and fear wells up, causing indecision and self-doubt. Sound familiar? I share these mental health experiences to encourage you that you are not. At least we are two, me and you, so don’t be afraid; hold my hand. Do you suffer from constant pressure…
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Disappointment—How To Deal with It
Over the years dealing with my mental instabilities, I have learned to self-evaluate and diagnose before heading to/calling my therapist. Therapy is expensive! So knowing some of the issues you are facing helps reduce the hours you are to spend in the chair. One of the things that I struggle with is dealing with disappointment. Disappointment to me is this uncomfortable feeling of loss. It leaves a semi-painful gap between what I wanted to get and what I got. That gap between my reality and expectation, which limits my happy mood and sense of fulfillment. This tends to happen mainly if I have been working hard to achieve something and…
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Don’t Kill Yourself – Speak Out!
“Sometimes I just want to kill myself. Why live in pain and suffering?” I most times don’t have answers to such questions that I find in my inboxes. All I know is that when I used to think like that, I had a mother, a father, a sister, some friends who I would talk to. I would have ended it but these people held me in check. They availed their ears to listen, availed time and just sat in silence for hours with me, they might not have offered solutions but they offered warm hugs that said “we are here”, “We love you” and they kept on checking in…
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We need more mental health awareness drives
She woke up today feeling low and lonely, she expressed this to her beloved. He told her to stop seeking attention where there was no need. Rudely, he pushed her over and walked away. Now she lays in a coffin. Her beloved doesn’t understand why. The increased need to teach/educate each other about the problems of the mind should be taken seriously. If he had paid attention, given her a hug. She wouldn’t have committed suicide, leaving a note saying ” I couldn’t keep feeling alone and unhappy” With enough knowledge and understanding, the beloved would have stayed home and hugged her. Cared for and availed her all the time she…
