Strained pressure

Overwhelmed

Strength 4 of 4

Swamped by more than you can take in or handle, so the whole load feels too much and it is hard to know where to begin, or to begin at all.

In the body

  • A crowded, heavy head
  • Pressure across the chest
  • Tears close to the surface
  • Limbs that stall or freeze

Needs behind it

When these needs aren’t met

SupportSpaceBalanceClarity

Softer and stronger

  1. Stressed
  2. Frazzled
  3. Frantic
  4. Overwhelmed

Often confused with

Confused

Confused is not being able to make sense of things; overwhelmed is having more coming at you than you can handle, even when it is clear.

Exhausted

Overwhelmed is having more coming at you than you can handle; exhausted is having nothing left to give, whatever the load.

Frantic

Frantic speeds up into a desperate rush to get everything done; overwhelmed floods you so the whole load feels too much, sometimes to the point of freezing.

Stressed

Stressed is being stretched by many demands while still keeping up; overwhelmed comes when the load feels too much to handle at all.

See also

Distraught

Faux feelings that can hide this

Dumped onHassledPressuredSmotheredTrampledUnsupported