It shouldn’t be surprising that these ambitious risk-takers can suffer from depression. They aren’t as content with the emotional high from a beautiful day. They crave more. If they aren’t achieving greater heights, they can become depressed. It’s a huge let-down.
Constant comparison can also lead to depression. Trying to achieve high levels of success is a competitive pursuit. Looking at your accomplishments versus someone else’s can make you feel like a loser.
Goal attainment doesn’t equal lasting happiness. Your values can shift. Evaluate what’s important to you now and make changes. The corner office that doesn’t resolve all of life’s problems can be a downer.
Overnight Success
Privilege doesn’t stimulate resilience. This explains how people who have surprising instant success have so much difficulty handling things. They haven’t had the chance to learn from smaller ups and downs that people gain on a longer path to success.
Finding Dopamine Elsewhere
Know that life is bigger than the workplace. Find other things that boost your happiness levels. Hobbies and creative endeavors can help you thrive. Enjoying the little things can help.
Adjusting your expectations will reduce your depression. You will not win at everything. Do well where you can and accept moderate successes you have.
Find a good therapist if needed. Set goals for your therapy. Embrace the challenges to confront your personal issues.
Listen as Therese Borchard joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share how to navigate depression.
Therese Borchard is the Founder of Project Hope & Beyond, an online community for persons with treatment-resistant depression and other chronic mood disorders.