Dr LeCrone
05-31-2006, 12:13 PM
One of the biggest problem areas that I see in my practice is the result of people who are struggling to live in the past.
The 1980's were, for many, a time of milk and honey. Jobs were more plentiful, credit was given more freely, economic forecasts were rosy and we seemed to be living on an ever-expanding bubble that would never burst. For many, things have changed. For some, quite dramatically. I see individuals struggle to maintain the same lifestyle that they had and the strain is beginning to show in many ways. Many have lost their jobs or have had to take severe wage cuts. Others have lost their homes, their businesses, their dreams and even their health. What started as down-sizing for many has resulted in downward mobility. Anger, frustration, bitterness, as well as stress and depression are rampant. The shift was very sudden for many individuals and families, occurring within a few months for some and within a few years for others.
The psychological impact of these changes has given coping and adapting a new meaning. Lifestyles were built on debt that simply couldn't be met any longer as property values depreciated, financial institutions collapsed and profits sank. Many very self-reliant individuals who had known nothing but growth, expansion and optimism began to question their own capabilities and self-worth as the "good times" for many came to a screeching halt. Hard work, long hours, and "frayed-nerves" have taken their toll resulting in medical and psychological difficulties for some. I have spoken to many businesses and organizations on the topic of transition and change and have begun to notice one group of individuals emerge. I call them survivors and some of their characteristics are:
• The belief that they and their families can and will deal with these transitions and changes. They see relationships as more important than things. They see jobs as vehicles to help them keep their marriages and families intact. Where they live, what they drive, and the clothes they wear are far less important to them than the love that they have for each other and the strong belief that they and their families will survive no matter what.
• The initial shock, anger, and disbelief associated with the economic changes thrust upon them are quickly replaced by thoughts and actions associated with survival and adaptation. They spend relatively little time looking back and instead look toward what a new future can bring them.
• They depersonalize the events leading up to the necessary changes and abstain from feelings of guilt, fault, blame, and personal shortcomings.
• They maintain a sense of humor. They quickly begin thinking about possibilities and begin to put psychological distance between themselves and their economic misfortune.
They maintain healthy habits of eating, sleeping, and exercise, carefully avoiding unhealthy patterns of escape, such as alcohol or drugs.
• Most have a strong spiritual belief system that they utilize to help overcome feelings of loss of control.
• They rely heavily on friends and family for support. They talk about their concerns rather than bottling them up inside and becoming isolated.
• They have a strong belief that good things can come from change and their sense of optimism is very apparent.
In following the lives of many of these individuals I find that they are most often the first to adapt to the changes and they spend little time talking about the way things used to be. They believe in themselves and their family and are moving into the future and on with their lives. They are survivors.
Copyright c 1993 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.
The 1980's were, for many, a time of milk and honey. Jobs were more plentiful, credit was given more freely, economic forecasts were rosy and we seemed to be living on an ever-expanding bubble that would never burst. For many, things have changed. For some, quite dramatically. I see individuals struggle to maintain the same lifestyle that they had and the strain is beginning to show in many ways. Many have lost their jobs or have had to take severe wage cuts. Others have lost their homes, their businesses, their dreams and even their health. What started as down-sizing for many has resulted in downward mobility. Anger, frustration, bitterness, as well as stress and depression are rampant. The shift was very sudden for many individuals and families, occurring within a few months for some and within a few years for others.
The psychological impact of these changes has given coping and adapting a new meaning. Lifestyles were built on debt that simply couldn't be met any longer as property values depreciated, financial institutions collapsed and profits sank. Many very self-reliant individuals who had known nothing but growth, expansion and optimism began to question their own capabilities and self-worth as the "good times" for many came to a screeching halt. Hard work, long hours, and "frayed-nerves" have taken their toll resulting in medical and psychological difficulties for some. I have spoken to many businesses and organizations on the topic of transition and change and have begun to notice one group of individuals emerge. I call them survivors and some of their characteristics are:
• The belief that they and their families can and will deal with these transitions and changes. They see relationships as more important than things. They see jobs as vehicles to help them keep their marriages and families intact. Where they live, what they drive, and the clothes they wear are far less important to them than the love that they have for each other and the strong belief that they and their families will survive no matter what.
• The initial shock, anger, and disbelief associated with the economic changes thrust upon them are quickly replaced by thoughts and actions associated with survival and adaptation. They spend relatively little time looking back and instead look toward what a new future can bring them.
• They depersonalize the events leading up to the necessary changes and abstain from feelings of guilt, fault, blame, and personal shortcomings.
• They maintain a sense of humor. They quickly begin thinking about possibilities and begin to put psychological distance between themselves and their economic misfortune.
They maintain healthy habits of eating, sleeping, and exercise, carefully avoiding unhealthy patterns of escape, such as alcohol or drugs.
• Most have a strong spiritual belief system that they utilize to help overcome feelings of loss of control.
• They rely heavily on friends and family for support. They talk about their concerns rather than bottling them up inside and becoming isolated.
• They have a strong belief that good things can come from change and their sense of optimism is very apparent.
In following the lives of many of these individuals I find that they are most often the first to adapt to the changes and they spend little time talking about the way things used to be. They believe in themselves and their family and are moving into the future and on with their lives. They are survivors.
Copyright c 1993 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.