Overcoming Learned Helplessness - How to Empower
Learned helplessness is a serious change in one's way of thinking and perception that can lead to many unwanted effects on the health of those we care for. It can develop from various different factors that build on each other and lead to changes in one's health and aging experience. Research by Eckett (2020) explores what are the risk factors that lead to learned helplessness and solutions that can overcome it. Understanding our risks and solutions to overcome these factors is an important role as a care partner for our loved ones.
Risk Factors
Control
Loss of control can come in different forms, such as no control over one's physical health, environment, social connections, mental health, decisions and other ways unique to each individual. Sometimes control may be straight forward, such as deciding what to wear or more complex, such as understanding and navigating through one's own health changes.
Loneliness
Social isolation, loneliness and poor social relationships have a negative impact on our sense of self and wellbeing. Our loved one may become isolated due to mobility changes making travel and commuting difficult. Additionally, certain conditions such as hearing loss or stigmatized conditions may make communicating about one's feeling difficult, only further adding to the feelings of loneliness.
Depression
Poor health, social connections, control and other factors can increase the likelihood of developing depression. Depression is a very real mental health condition that leads to very real impacts on one's health both mentally and physically. Identifying, acknowledging, and addressing one's depression is important.
Difficulty Adapting
A medical diagnosis or changes in one's health often leads to a need to change in how one goes about their day. Health changes sometimes are only short term, sometimes they last a little longer, and other times it becomes a lifelong journey and when we are not prepared, unsure where to get our information or just misguided, it becomes difficult overcoming the challenges we face.
Stereotypes
The idea of what an aging person or person with a certain diagnosis is also affects our belief in overcoming some challenges. There is a misconception that older adults may be frail, weak, and need assistance but that is not always the case. When we believe and accept a certain idea that are a misconception this also can negatively affect our health.
Personality
Each person is different, their lived lives are different and so their approach and reaction for health changes is very individualized. We all respond and feel things differently.
Solutions
Empowerment
Empowerment can come in different forms, and although many things are beyond our control, feeling empowered through the journey can really aid in one's sense of self and their abilities. Whether done in a simple manner or in a more complex way, having some control over one's own body, mind, relationships, environment or other aspects of life is vital.
Social Connections
Keeping our relationships strong and healthy has a lasting impact on one's wellbeing. Having support to expression one's feelings, share moments with, and interact with has positive effects on our health. Many times relationships are complex and with certain histories may be difficult to navigate through, but building strong relationships and being a part of a community has positive effects for many.
Education
Addressing misconceptions, stereotypes and stigma can be powerful in overcoming helplessness. Additionally, education on adaptive techniques and ways of living are also helpful approaches to overcoming the feelings of powerlessness. Understanding our own mental health, physical health and wellbeing helps empower us into deciding how we want to go about our challenges.
Exercise
Exercise has many positive effects on our mental and physical health. In many cases it even helps with our social connections and self-perception of ourselves. Engaging and encouraging physical exercise in another form of approach to overcoming helplessness.
Each individual is different and the circumstances that lead to feeling helpless and powerless are always unique to everyone. As Care partners the same factors also apply to ourselves and can help in our own feelings of helplessness when we care for our loved ones as well. The feelings of helplessness can be overwhelming, but when we aim to empower our wellbeing and that of our loved ones can improve for the better.
Eckett, Ashley, "Factors and Alleviation of Learned Helplessness in the Elderly" (2020). Capstone Showcase. 4.
