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The great man theory of leadership suggests that some individuals are born with characteristics that naturally make them skilled leaders. According to this view, leaders are born, not made. It also suggests that leaders assume authority when their leadership traits are needed.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Great leaders are born, not made”? This quote sums up the basic tenet of the great man theory of leadership, which suggests that leadership capacity is innate. According to this theory, you’re either a natural-born leader or not.

The term “great man” was used because, at the time, ​leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership.

Origins of the Great Man Theory of Leadership

The great man theory of leadership became popular during the 19th century. The mythology behind some of the world’s most famous leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln, Julius Caesar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Alexander the Great, helped contribute to the notion that great leaders are born and not made.

Carlyle’s Views on Leadership

In many examples, it seems as if the right man for the job seems to emerge almost magically to take control of a situation and lead a group of people into safety or success. Historian Thomas Carlyle also had a major influence on this theory of leadership. He stated, “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.”

Early Leadership Reasearch

Some of the earliest research on leadership looked at people who were already successful leaders. These individuals often included aristocratic rulers who achieved their position through birthright. Because people of a lesser social status had fewer opportunities to practice and achieve leadership roles, it contributed to the idea that leadership is an inherent ability.

Even today, people often describe prominent leaders as having the right qualities or personality for the position. This implies that inherent characteristics are what make these people effective leaders.

Examples of the Great Man Theory of Leadership

Some examples of famous historical figures who are often cited as examples of “great men” include:

• Abraham Lincoln: The 16th president of the United States shepherded the Union through the Civil War and signed the Emancipation Proclamation. His leadership through this tumultuous period is often seen as an example of how great leaders seem to be born with specific skills that make them destined to lead.
• Martin Luther King, Jr.: The civil rights leader was influential in the fight for civil rights during the 1960s. His leadership characteristics, including his persuasive abilities and charisma, are often cited as examples of how innate traits contribute to leadership ability.
• Mahatma Gandhi: The spiritual and political leader who led the successful movement for India’s independence from British rule advocated non-violent resistance. His resilience, wisdom, and vision made him an inspiration in the fight for freedom in India and across the globe.

Criticisms of the Great Man Theory of Leadership

The great man theory of leadership has been the subject of considerable debate and criticism. The following are some of the major critiques of this approach to explaining leadership.

Herbert Spencer’s Response

Sociologist Herbert Spencer suggested that the leaders were products of the society in which they lived. In “The Study of Sociology,” Spencer wrote:

Incomplete Account of Leadership

One of the critical problems with the Great Man theory of leadership is that not all people who possess the so-called natural leadership qualities become great leaders. If leadership were simply an inborn quality, all people who possess the ​necessary traits would eventually find themselves in leadership roles.

Ignores Situational Factors

Research has instead found that leadership is a surprisingly complex subject and numerous factors influence how successful a particular leader may or may not be. Characteristics of the group, the leader in power, and the situation all interact to determine what type of leadership is needed and the effectiveness of this leadership.

Neglects Skill Development

The great man theory of leadership also fails to explain how leadership skills can be developed. It oversimplifies leadership and focuses on a very narrow set of skills that may not be effective or appropriate in every context or situation. Modern views emphasize that leadership abilities can be learned and honed with practice.

Contemporary Views of the Great Man Theory

The great man theory was an influential early theory of leadership, but it has fallen out of favor in modern leadership research. Contemporary ideas take a more nuanced and complex view of the many factors that influence leadership, including the characteristics of group members and the role of the situation.

While the great man theory has been largely replaced by other ideas, elements of it are still relevant today. The theory does not fully explain or account for the many aspects of leadership, but the existence of specific traits that contribute to great leadership is still of interest to contemporary researchers.

Today, experts recognize that leadership is complex and that innate traits alone do not account for how and why some leaders are successful.

Marriage takes work, and it isn’t always easy. It takes effort to protect, nurture, and grow a marriage. Between work schedules, children, and other obligations, sometimes it can seem impossible to maintain that partnership.

When problems arise, some couples find it healthier to divorce and go their separate ways. For others, it’s a better choice to work on the relationship.

Commit to Your Relationship

When times get tough, it isn’t uncommon for people to start thinking that the grass might be greener on the other side. However, toying with the idea that you might be better off outside of your marriage can put a major strain on your relationship—even if you never voice those thoughts.

To combat the risk to your relationship, decide ahead of time that divorce is not an option. Making the commitment will help you focus on making your partnership stronger rather than thinking about what life might be like outside your marriage.

Forgive Quickly

Marriages often begin to fall apart when one person is holding a grudge. Research has shown that feeling contempt toward your partner almost always festers and can lead to divorce if it’s never resolved.

“Forgiving is one of the most important and also one of the most difficult things for couples to do,” says Aura De Los Santos, a clinical and educational psychologist at NCHC.

Try to forgive your partner as quickly as possible. Remember that forgiveness is just as much a gift you give yourself. Holding a grudge takes up mental and emotional space and almost always impacts your health and stress levels.

Honor and Respect Your Partner

People inevitably change over time. Understanding, appreciating, and adapting to those changes is critical for any relationship. Start by making a list of your partner’s best qualities to remind yourself of the wonderful person you married. This exercise will help you remember why you fell in love with them in the first place.

It also helps to vocalize how much you appreciate your partner’s quirks and eccentricities.

These little expressions are like deposits in the bank. You don’t want to make withdrawals from your marriage without ever making any deposits. So, be sure you are doing things that honor your partner for who they are.

Communicate Regularly

In the age of smartphones, Netflix, and work-from-home lifestyles, it’s easy to get distracted. You might find that you often go days without having a real conversation with your spouse.

Communicating openly about your life, interests, dreams, frustrations, and feelings is an important way to foster intimacy in a relationship.

Share Financial Expectations

Many marriages are fraught with disagreements over finances. Couples often bring different expectations about money to a relationship. Each partner can find it difficult to see the financial situation from the other person’s perspective.

Agreeing about how your money will be handled is a critical component of a successful marriage. Agree on a budget, an approach to debt, and make a plan to live within your limits.

It’s also important to differentiate between needs and wants. While both are legitimate, couples can face problems if they try to fulfill all their wants without considering their budget.

Give Each Other Space

One of the hardest things to balance in a marriage is the right amount of time to spend together. Too much can feel like smothering, while too little can be interpreted as inattentive.

When your partner needs space or a night out with friends, offer to watch the kids or run errands to ensure they can get that time. On the other hand, you also want to make time to spend with your partner. If babysitting issues or financial constraints make that difficult, plan a fun, cost-effective date night at home.

Work on Wellness

It’s easy to get into a routine of being overly casual, especially if you’ve been with your partner for many years. An easy way to rekindle romance is to think back to those early days of dating—preparing for date night with an at-home manicure, getting a fresh shave and haircut, or choosing a fun outfit.

There are plenty of ways to feel attractive and energized. Keeping up with your physical fitness boosts your confidence and sense of well-being.

This can also double as a way to spend time with your partner— whether you’re trying a new workout class, training for a 5K, or prepping healthy meals together.

Have Date Nights

Another way to keep the flame burning in a marriage is to continue courting your spouse. Make time for a date night every week—even to get ice cream or cook a new recipe together.

De Los Santos says that quality time together is essential. “Quality time means taking time for the couple to go out and share. This helps to combat monotony, allows people to get to know each other better, and enjoy more as a couple,” she explains.

If money is a concern, consider trading babysitting with another couple looking to have a date night. You can also just put the baby in a stroller, walk around the mall, or visit the local park.

Don’t Try to Control Your Partner 

In healthy marriages, both partners have mutual respect for one another and don’t demand their own way. This can mean different things to different couples, but here are some core tenants to keep in mind:

• Don’t try to monitor or control each other
• Give your partner room to be the person they are
• Learn to collaborate on big decisions (such as spending money and raising children)
• Let your spouse have the freedom to come and go without having to ask your permission

Find Help

If you’re still having challenges in your marriage or fear that divorce might be imminent, consider counseling or couples therapy. This can be a helpful way to work through problems you might have and develop new skills that will strengthen your marriage.

“Seeing a psychologist can help them resolve conflicts effectively, get to know each other better, and set new goals as a married couple,” De Los Santos says.

You can also check with your workplace. See if you (or your partner) have access to an employee assistance program (EAP), which can often direct you to initial help or provide a referral.

You can also use the therapist locator offered by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) to look for a qualified professional in your area. 

If you and your partner share faith, your might also consider meeting with a trusted religious leader.

Bipolar disorder isn’t just about having mood swings. It’s a serious mental health condition that used to be referred to as manic depression. There are two main types of bipolar disorder that differ in terms of severity, duration, and nature of their symptoms.

This article discusses the symptoms of bipolar disorder, including symptoms of both mania and depression. It also covers potential complications that may occur.

Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience dramatic shifts in mood that may include periods of depression and mania. The nature and severity of these symptoms depend on the type of bipolar disorder that they have.

• Bipolar I: Individuals with bipolar I experience at least one manic episode in their lives. Although not required for the formal diagnosis, the vast majority will also experience major depressive episodes during the course of their lives.
• Bipolar II: Individuals with bipolar II have at least one hypomanic episode (a less serious form of mania) and at least one major depressive episode.

Bipolar Mania or Hypomania Symptoms

Symptoms of a manic or hypomanic episode include:

Manic episodes must last at least seven days to meet the criteria for bipolar I disorder and can last much longer. Hypomanic episodes involve the same symptoms, but the individual’s functioning isn’t markedly impaired, and there are no psychotic symptoms.

Bipolar Depression Symptoms

During a depressive episode, an individual may experience the following symptoms:

• Crying for no reason or prolonged periods of sadness
• Difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness
• Extreme fatigue, including the inability to get out of bed
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in activities that usually give you pleasure
• Loss of interest in health, nutrition, or physical appearance
• Sleeping excessively or difficulty sleeping
• Suicidal thoughts or an impulse to self-harm

Problems with cognitive skills, such as subjective memory trouble, difficulty concentrating, and indecision, can be the first things noticed by others when someone has bipolar depression.

Physical Symptoms Associated With Depressive Episodes

During depressive episodes, individuals may experience a variety of physical symptoms, including unexplained aches and pains.

Changes in weight are also common. While some people struggle to eat when they’re feeling down, others turn to food for comfort. Thus, both weight loss and weight gain can be symptoms of a depressive episode.

Psychomotor agitation, an increase in activity caused by mental rather than physical tension, or psychomotor retardation, slowing of both thought and physical activities, may also occur.

Rare Symptoms

While less common, people may sometimes experience a mood disorder known as cyclothymia. This condition causes mood changes that are not as severe as those in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. Cyclothymia often emerges in adolescence. In many cases, it can be a precursor to bipolar I or II disorder.

Complications & Comorbidities

Bipolar disorder can lead to complications in a person’s life. It can also present differently in certain groups. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but the symptoms can be managed effectively with appropriate treatment. Some potential complications that can occur if the condition is not treated include:

Differences in Men and Women

Bipolar disorder occurs in men and women at approximately the same rates. However, the presentation of symptoms and course of the condition may differ depending on the sex an individual was assigned at birth. 

Men are often diagnosed at an earlier age, experience more severe episodes, and are more likely to have co-occurring substance use issues. Women tend to have more depressive episodes and more rapid cycling between manic and depressive episodes.

In Children

While bipolar disorder is most frequently diagnosed in adults over the age of 18, it can also occur in children. The course of the condition tends to be more severe when this diagnosis happens during childhood. 

Symptoms also often manifest differently in children than in adults. Some of the symptoms that children may experience include:

• Aggressiveness
• Decreased need for sleep
• Depressed moods
• Frequent mood swings
• Hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Temper tantrums

Because these symptoms are not always specific to bipolar disorder and are often associated with other conditions, it is essential to receive an evaluation and diagnosis from a healthcare professional. Getting an accurate diagnosis early on can lead to more effective interventions and improve treatment outcomes.

Co-Occurring Conditions

There are a number of conditions that can co-occur alongside bipolar disorder or that have similar sets of symptoms that may complicate diagnosis. Some of these co-occurring conditions include:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Hyperactivity and distractibility are two of the hallmark symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, they are also quite predominant in bipolar disorder, especially as it relates to children. To further complicate things, these conditions can often co-occur.

Alcohol or Substance Use

It is very common for those with bipolar disorder to struggle with alcohol and substance use. This is often an attempt, even on an unconscious level, to self-medicate. To make matters worse, alcohol may interact with the medications used to treat bipolar disorder.

Borderline Personality Disorder 

Borderline personality disorder causes impulsivity, suicidal behavior, reactivity of mood, inappropriate anger, and transient paranoia, which are also associated with bipolar disorder. It is possible for an individual to be diagnosed with both of these disorders as well.

Depression

The one thing that distinguishes depressive disorders (unipolar depression) from bipolar disorder is mania/hypomania. If a patient with depression swings into an episode of mania, the diagnosis becomes a bipolar disorder.

Eating Disorders

It is not uncommon for those with bipolar disorder to experience eating disorders. Moreover, depression, anxiety, and irritability often result from eating disorders.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, spontaneous panic attacks. Panic disorder is often comorbid (occurs together) with mood disorders and other psychiatric disorders. Panic attacks are also common in those with bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes intense disturbances in cognition (thinking), behaviors, and emotions. Symptoms of the condition include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and thinking, disorganized behavior, catatonic behavior, inappropriate moods, flattened emotions, lack of speech, and a reduction in goal-directed behavior. The symptoms of schizophrenia are easily confused with those of bipolar disorder.

Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder involves having symptoms of major depression or mania, along with specific symptoms of schizophrenia. However, the delusions or hallucinations must persist for periods when the mood symptoms aren’t present. As you might expect, there is a great deal of confusion and controversy surrounding differentiating this disorder from bipolar disorder.

Frequently Asked Questions

The effects of prescription and illegal can be short-lived, causing an individual to experience a rollercoaster of emotions if such drugs are misused. A rebound effect, a crash, and a comedown are drug after-effects that cause different symptoms.

These effects play a role in the onset and maintenance of drug addiction. To avoid experiencing unpleasant effects, people sometimes continue using or taking more of a substance. This contributes to the cycle of addiction.

Keep reading to learn more about what rebound, comedown, and crash are and the role that they play in addictions. Also, explore strategies that can help you cope and treatments that can help you recover from drug addiction.

The Rebound Effect

Understanding the rebound effect explains why certain drugs, particularly those that have a quick and intense effect on the nervous system, are very addictive. One of the ironies of addiction is that the rebound effect causes the person taking the drug to experience the very same effects they were hoping to escape through drug use.

This is especially true if the person wants to maintain the state such as wishing to stay awake or alert for longer than the effects of the stimulant or trying to sleep or relax for longer than the effects of the depressant, sedative, or tranquilizer.

For example, when you take a sedative drug, which causes relaxation and drowsiness, a rebound effect of agitation will occur after the drug wears off, making you want to take more of the sedative drug in order to calm down.

Pain is also intensified during a rebound from a painkiller, such as an opioid medication, a phenomenon known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia. The pain can be physical, emotional, or a combination of the two. Physical and emotional pain often go hand-in-hand, so it is easy to see how painkiller addiction develops.

The Comedown

The experience varies depending on the person, the amount of drug taken, as well as how long and how often the person has been using the drug.

If the intoxication experience was too intense and made the person who took the drug feel uncomfortable, anxious, or delusional, the comedown can feel relatively mild, while for others, the comedown can be a disappointing sensation, signaling a return to reality and perhaps triggering further drug use.

Make sure you tell them what you have taken, how much, and when. It is better to get early intervention than suffer greater complications later on.

The Crash

It involves helping the body recover not only from the toxicity and effects of the drugs, but also from any overexertion, lack of sleep, injuries, or other harms that potentially occurred during intoxication.

This crash can last much longer than the original drug effects because the body needs longer to recover from the effects of the substance and other behaviors that may have affected the individual, such as lack of sleep.

Withdrawal Fatigue

If you stop taking a substance, you may experience withdrawal fatigue. Regardless of the substance taken, fatigue is a trademark symptom of withdrawal. Even if the substance was a relaxing substance, the inability to relax and sleep will lead to the person feeling more tired than usual.

Coping With Withdrawal Fatigue

Withdrawal fatigue is exhausting, but people often try and keep going at their usual pace. This is not a good idea, as it will take longer to restore energy and return to normal activities. Fatigue is your body’s way of getting you to rest and recuperate.

Allow your body to recover by following these tips:

• Take a break. Take a break from your usual activities—don’t go out socializing for a few days. Call in sick to work or school if you have to. Even if it is self-inflicted, you are not well enough to be up and about.
• Learn relaxation techniques. Practicing relaxation skills are very useful, and if you can, get enough sleep.
• Develop a relaxing bedtime routine. If you can’t sleep, try and do restful activities during the night, and, unless you are fully asleep, get up, bathe, dress, and eat during the daytime. This will help reset your body clock, which may have been affected by you not sleeping and waking at the usual times while you were using drugs.
• Consume a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and protein, aids in the recovery process. If you don’t have access to fresh food, talk to a pharmacist about the right amount of vitamin supplements. Vitamin C helps heal wounds, and vitamin B complex may help curb nicotine cravings.

If you don’t start to feel your energy return after a week or so of rest, see your doctor. Many people who use alcohol and drugs often have an underlying depressive disorder or other mood disorders. Sometimes, by getting proper treatment for depression, people find that their substance use problems improve and they can quit.

An addiction specialist is the best person to diagnose and treat your condition, but if you don’t have access to a specialist, talk it over with another healthcare provider.

Energy Recovery

Everyone’s recovery experience is different. The good news is that most people who stop using drugs and alcohol regain energy, sometimes in as little as a few weeks.

Of course, how quickly you recover depends on many factors including:

• Your overall health
• The type of substance used
• How much and how often you were using the substance
• Lifestyle and emotional factors, such as whether you are living in a supportive environment, and whether you feel safe with the people around you

Social support can play an important role in addiction recovery. If you are not living with or near people who support you, it will be more difficult to recover.

If you are in an abusive relationship, it is unlikely you will feel alright until you get away from the abuser. No matter how much sleep you get, living with someone who hurts you emotionally or physically is exhausting.

If this is the case for you, reach out for help. There are many resources available to help you and your children to make a fresh start. In the long term, nothing will be better for your energy than a drug-free, anxiety-free lifestyle. Your doctor or local police can help you if you are living with or feel controlled by someone you are in a relationship with.

How to Get Help

If you are experiencing rebound effects, coming down, or crashing due to using a substance, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor can evaluate your condition and recommend treatments that can help you manage your symptoms and recover from addiction.

Other treatments for addiction often focus on:

Psychotherapy

Types of therapy that your doctor might recommend include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and motivational enhancement therapy. Such treatments may be provided on either an outpatient or inpatient basis, depending on your needs.

Medication

Your doctor may also prescribe medications that can help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal and prevent relapse. The type of medication your doctor prescribes will depend on the substance you have been taking and the type of symptoms you have been experiencing.

Mutual Support Groups

Support groups such as 12-step self-help programs can be a great way to get encouragement, information, and resources that can help you on your journey to recovery.

If you’re feeling lost, you may feel disconnected from everything around you. You may wonder what the point of life is and what you should do next. It can feel like your life has no purpose, direction, or movement. This feeling can be confusing and frustrating, and you may wonder what to do with it.

If you’re feeling this way, don’t worry, everyone feels lost from time to time. “It’s a natural emotional process that signals a need for change or an opportunity for growth,” says Angeleena Francis, LMHC, executive director for AMFM Healthcare.

This article discusses some of the reasons why you may feel lost, how it can feel, and how to cope if you’re feeling this way.

Reasons Why You May Feel Lost

These are some reasons why you may feel lost:

• Life changes: Major life changes, such as moving or starting a new job can have you feeling lost because you may not know your way around, have a routine, or have any friends yet.
• Loss of a loved one: The death of a loved one or the loss of an important relationship in your life can also leave you feeling shocked, sad, angry, and lost. There may be aspects of your life or identity that involve the person you lost and you may wonder how to do things on your own or move forward without them.
• Setbacks: Experiencing a major setback, such as losing a job or a business or being diagnosed with a health condition can cause you to grieve and feel lost.
• Lack of a support system: Having close friends or family members in your life can help you feel grounded. Without a support system, it’s easy to feel lonely, isolated, and lost.
• Disruptions to your routine: A fixed routine helps promote stability and gives you a sense of calm, comfort, and confidence. Disruptions to your routine can leave you lost and struggling to find your footing.
• Important decisions: If you have an important or life-changing decision ahead of you, you may feel overwhelmed by your thoughts and emotions and unsure of what to do, which can cause you to feel lost.
• Societal pressure: Sometimes, people’s expectations can put pressure on you, which can cause you to experience a disconnect between what you want to do and what you think you’re expected to do. This situation can be challenging and cause you to feel lost.
• Suppressed emotions: Experiencing your feelings, whether positive or negative, helps keep you in the present. However, suppressing your feelings and refusing to acknowledge them can cause you to feel lost and disconnected from yourself.

Characteristics of This Feeling

These are some of the emotional and behavioral symptoms you may experience if you’re feeling lost, according to Francis:

• Crying without knowing why
• Experiencing mood swings
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Feeling uninterested in your hobbies or things that used to make you happy
• Being unable to make decisions
• Feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks or choices
• Engaging in erratic, impulsive, or risky behaviors
• Getting irritated at others around you
• Feeling frustrated at yourself
• Not feeling excited about the future
• Feeling like you are merely “going through the motions”
• Easily giving in to others’ influence
• Not knowing whether you’re doing something because you want to do it or because you think you should

How to Cope If You’re Feeling Lost

Francis shares some coping strategies that may be helpful if you’re feeling lost:

• Reflect on your needs: It can be helpful to spend a little time with yourself, asking yourself what’s wrong and why you’re feeling this way. Evaluate your needs and how those needs are being met by your choices and environment.
• Look for growth opportunities: Think about areas of your life that you would like to change and how you can change things for the better. Though feeling lost is uncomfortable, consider it an opportunity for personal, professional, or emotional growth.
• Concentrate on your priorities: Focus your time and energy on your priorities and avoid external distractions.
• Take care of yourself: Make your own needs a priority. Practice physical and emotional self-care.
• Practice meditation: Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help reduce your stress levels and ground you in the present moment.
• Keep a journal: Writing down your thoughts in a journal can help you become more aware of your feelings and motivations. Look for patterns between circumstances, behaviors, and the intensity of your feelings of being lost.
• Say positive affirmations out loud: Positive self-affirmations can help boost your confidence and increase your sense of self-worth. Practice saying them out loud to yourself every day.
• Reach out to loved ones: Let your loved ones know how you’re feeling and share any concerns you have with them. Discuss any important decisions with them first. Let them know how they can support you. 
• Distance yourself from unhealthy relationships: Evaluate your relationships and distance yourself from unhealthy dynamics that don’t serve you. Focus only on healthy, supportive relationships.
• Build a support system: Build a network of supportive, like-minded people, through hobbies, clubs, online platforms, or support groups. Stay in touch with them regularly and be an active part of your community.
• Maintain a healthy routine: Maintain a daily routine with plenty of exercise, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet. A healthy routine can help you feel more stable and in control.
• Seek support: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, lost, or unable to cope on your own, it may be helpful to talk to a mental healthcare provider who can provide guidance and support.