What is Life Dissatisfaction Syndrome?

Life satisfaction is something that everyone strives for, but many people struggle with. It can seem like an almost unattainable goal, but it can be achieved.

Life satisfaction is the feeling of contentment, happiness, fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment that comes from living a meaningful and purposeful life. It’s the feeling of being fulfilled and having a sense of purpose. It’s about finding balance in your life and being content with who you are and what you have. 

When we’re dissatisfied with our lives - a big side effect of this is low energy. Tiredness is a common reaction when we have lost our purpose or inspiration for life.

I see this so much in my clinical practice over the past 18 plus years. Patients are simply so dissatisfied, unhappy, frustrated and/ or sad about how their life is going that they develop physical illness symptoms, like fatigue. 

I have coined this state, 'Life Dissatisfaction Syndrome.' It is not a formal diagnosis that you could look up in medical textbooks or online, but I like to look at and treat patients through this lens and angle when appropriate. 

It can make a big difference to acknowledge and treat your 'dissatisfaction' if it is happening in your life.

What to Do About It

So how can you create more satisfaction in life? The first step is to define what is important to you. Take some time to really think about what matters most to you. This can be anything from your career, relationships, hobbies, or spirituality. Once you have identified these things, make sure you make time for them.

Take the time to appreciate the little things in life. Make sure you take the time to enjoy the moments and appreciate the people and things around you. This can help to give you a sense of satisfaction and contentment. 

Take care of yourself. This can be anything from getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and taking time for yourself. Taking care of your body, mind, and soul can all contribute to life satisfaction. 

Make sure you take the time to define what matters most to you and actively work towards it. Appreciate the little things and don’t forget to take care of yourself. With these steps, you can alter your life satisfaction levels.

Lastly, get support. You can’t do everything alone. We all need connection and support from others. Figure out what this looks like for you and reach out.

As a holistic doctor, a life satisfaction assessment is part of how I work with all my new patients. We look at all the physical, mental, emotional, and environmental health factors that may be affecting your energy levels. It’s pretty cool!