Image: Ruth Gwily, Inc. Magazine
I came across this wonderful article by Jessica Bruder on Entrepreneurship and mental health that discusses the challenges that entrepreneurs face that can lead to development of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, particularly in those predisposed to mood swings. As a psychologist in the Bay Area where entrepreneurs come in all stages of their lives, I see early signs of the impact of the cocktail of pressure and stress. The clearest sign of the extreme pressure is a life out of balance – all work and nothing else. Their health deteriorates when they don’t get enough sleep and exercise, and may eat poorly or drink excessively to manage their anxiety. Another area of imbalance is in their personal lives. Too busy for quality time with genuine friends and close family, the people who nurture us and love us for who were are – the brilliant, the bad and ugly. The stories in this article tell us that the struggles faced by entrepreneurs are common and prevalent, that they are the nature of the types of pressure entrepreneurs face. The entrepreneurs that I know who are able to keep their lives in better balance have a couple of habits in common. They join communities of support with other entrepreneurs. They keep having fun doing things outside their businesses that they have always enjoyed. One person heads to the ski mountains of Colorado twice a year. Another finds a way to squeeze in kite surfing when the wind is good. A third makes bacon. They take time off to reflect and rejuvenate, and to be with family and friends.