The kids went back to school this week and despite having oodles of free time, I’m plagued by a familiar affliction called Overwhelm Paralysis (OP).
OP is a common concern for working mothers who are juggling a variety of priorities. It is most commonly caused by a period of intense activity and busyness where one or more priorities is given attention while other responsibilities are set aside to handle later. OP sets in once the period of intense activity ends or subsides. This moment of calm triggers the realization that the mom wasn’t effective in juggling it all. She becomes flustered, frustrated and frantic at the thought of everything she must do and is overwhelmed to the point of paralysis.
She has Overwhelm Paralysis.
Symptoms
Think you may suffer from OP? The main symptoms include anxiety, fatigue and in more severe cases depression. Other symptoms of OP may include:
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Inability to concentrate
- Forgetfulness
- Sudden loss of motivation
- Stiffness in muscles
- Unexplained moodiness
Treatment & Care
OP is a treatable condition that must be attacked in three ways – mind, body, and action. Try one or more of these suggestions to reduce immediate symptoms. Make them a habit and prevent OP from reoccurring:
- Take a break. Spend time doing something you enjoy, not something you have to do. This might be gardening, painting, romping freely with your kids, or just sitting down with a good book. Enjoy it and free yourself of any “mommy guilt.” You need this time and preferably on a regular basis.
- Get physical. Exercise is a natural way to relieve stress and creates mental clarity that can help you move past OP. If you’re not already physically active, simple activities like taking a walk or housecleaning are great places to start.
- Let it out. “Stop crying!” is a common admonition from parents and you might have heard this as a child. Yet, it’s unhealthy to repress your feelings; it creates pent up stress. If you’re sad, angry or frustrated by everything on your plate, find a way to let it out. Cry, scream into a pillow, call a friend or speak with a professional counselor or member of clergy.
- Write it out. “I have so much to do that I don’t know where to begin,” is a common complaint of OP sufferers. To manage your immediate concerns, create a Master Task List that includes what you must do from every aspect of your life – work, family, personal, etc. Then, choose the 2-3 tasks that you must work on today (otherwise the world would come to an end). For more in-depth strategies, read How to Structure Your Time for tips on how to effectively manage your tasks and time.
- Take a small step. The best way to overcome OP is action. Even a small step creates the mobility you need to fuel your momentum. So, make a choice to break free of OP and do something. Now, go!
Note from Michele: Ok, so I hope you haven’t read this entire post thinking Overwhelm Paralysis (OP) is an actual medical condition! But maybe for many working moms, like me, it should be. 
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Michelle, thanks for giving this common condition a name. From time to time I too suffer from OP. However, I just couldn’t give it a name. Your prescribed treatment plan is realistic. Thanks for your diagnosis.