High Fliers Need Help,Too

By Joan Pickett, LPC

There is an interesting problem that occurs with many people in areas such as Washington and the Silicone Valley. In fact, these problems occur in any area where there have been huge and fast leaps into enormous wealth and success.

Particularly since the birth of the dot-com world, many people have become multimillionaires by developing a small but useful application or software design. Often they have sold their companies for vast fortunes, enabling them to stop work and continue to live opulent lifestyles for years to come.

However, some of these people have not made enough money to keep this up forever, and then they must search for a “second act”. And, since they often are not exactly sure how it all happened, and what the complicated economic factors in the environment were that facilitated their success, the second time around can be elusive indeed.

At this point they spend a lot of time and effort networking and trying to understand the world as it has evolved since their first triumph. They often invest their own money and time in “start ups” which paddle along and then sink, taking all the money, which was invested, down with them. After a few of these efforts, the person begins to doubt himself. “Was it all a fluke?” ” Am I a failure after all?” Or a

“has been?”

At this point, depression, which has been kept at bay until now, becomes evident and a struggle to keep up the appearance of success becomes increasingly difficult.

Even the family becomes aware that something is wrong. In fact sometimes it is the wife who seeks help first, which can pave the way for her husband to come in for therapy, where his depression and self-concept can be helped through this difficult time in his life.

So, if you've made a lot and wonder what to do next, now might be the time to get some help for you and your family.