Having Superwoman Syndrome?
While I'm doing research I came across this page where it talks about women who think they are superwomen.
I'm not talking about the superwoman in the comic book or the cape-wearing super-heroine with magical powers okay.
What is a Superwoman Syndrome?
From the word superwoman - a woman with exceptional strength or ability, especially one who successfully manages a home, brings up children, and has a full-time job.
In the APA dictionary of Psychology superwoman syndrome is a set of characteristics found in a woman who performs or attempts to perform all the duties typically associated with several different full-time roles, such as wage earner, mother, homemaker, and wife
With all this description, you will also know that they are the person who is overly stressed and overwork. I can't help thinking "Do I have superwoman syndrome?"
They are the person who has the 'Do it all mindset.
How the Word Superwoman Syndrome Started.
This new definition came from an author named Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz wrote the book, The Superwoman Syndrome, published in 1984. The book is about For women trying to do it all--how to decide what's important in your life and do it well.
Signs You have Superwoman Syndrome
Scripps physician Jennifer Duong says if you have these symptoms you are more likely one of those who have superwoman syndrome:
Bouts of irritability
Inability to sleep or excessive sleep
Memory issues
Muscle tension
Anxiety
Sweating when not physically active
Inability to concentrate
General aches and pains
Uh-oh.
Now I'm starting to realize I have the symptoms.
It's never easy being a mom... especially a single mom. I need to juggle a full-time job with 3 kids to take care of. Putting tons of pressure on myself. 'Rest' is never part of my dictionary
It's never easy to take off your costume.
Overcoming the Superwoman Syndrome
According to Madeline Lewis, an author of the book "Overcoming the Superwoman Syndrome" observed that “superwomen” are perpetual motion machines, always on the go and always over-committed and over-extended. Lewis noted that such women share certain behavioral characteristics, such as:
striving for perfection
possessing low self-esteem
having a strong need for accomplishment
difficulty saying “no” to others
wanting to feel like they can do it all
attention-seeking
a tendency to be “people pleasers.”
Superwomen wear themselves down physically, mentally, and emotionally. They simply burn out over time and exhausting themselves can lead to anxiety, stress, and chronic fatigue and it may lead to major illness.
Here are a few suggestions from Daniel A. Schroeder, Ph.D. is president of Brookfield based Organization Development Consultants Inc. (www.OD-Consultants.com)
Take time-out its not wrong to take a few breaks on your busy schedule
Make a sacrifice offload activity that is no longer rewarding
Let go of perfectionism remember no one will judge you if you will not clean the house 24 hours a day.
“ Just because you can have and do it all doesn’t necessarily mean you should,” says Dr. Duong.
4. Ask for help you cannot do everything by yourself
5. Relax This is an obvious one, right?
6. Develop a support system Share your frustrations with someone you trust.
7. Develop assertiveness learn how to say 'no' especially if you don't have time. Being assertive means taking better care of you
Let's learn how to overcome Superwoman syndrome. Anyway, superwoman is a fictional character. We should also know how to take care of ourself.
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