What is stress?
Stress can be defined as a body’s answer to a hurdle or demand. It is a body’s normal defense against vulnerability. When we face a stressful situation, either physical or mental, our body initiates specific means to help fight that situation in an optimum way. The factors that trigger such conditions are called stressors. They could range from a thing like, noise, traffic, studies or upcoming exam to something like going on a date.
What are the causes of stress?
Anything can be the cause of stress. Sometimes even imagining about little things can lead to stress. Some events that can lead to stress are:
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Family problems
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Illness
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Lack of money
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No retirement plans
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Relationship problems
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Abortion or miscarriage
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Fear of crime
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Recent accidents
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Noise or overcrowding
What are the signs and symptoms of stress?
Generally, when we are talking about stress, we mean a generalized stress disorder in which a person feels anxious even in ordinary aspects of life. People who suffer from such disorders have this feeling for almost six months or more, and it is affecting their life, work, personal health, and so on.
Some of the symptoms that are included in stress are:
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Difficulty in concentrating
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Feeling fatigued
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Feeling of restlessness
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Muscle tension
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Irritability of mood
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The sense of worry and stress controlling it
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Disturbance in sleep
How can stress affect my life?
Stress can change body functions to fight the stressors properly. The body changes in many ways, like:
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Increase in blood pressure
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The rise in heart rate
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Faster breathing
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Slowing of the digestive system
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Decrease in immunity
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Disturbance of sleep
How can psychotherapy and counselling help?
There are many ways to treat stress, and one should always discuss it with their doctor to find the best style suited for the person. Generally, stress is treated with psychotherapy, counselling, or medication. In some cases, a combination of all. Psychotherapy is sufficient for most people suffering from stress, primarily when it is targeted toward specific stresses. CBT is an example of a type of psychotherapy which helps teach people different ways of how to behave, think, and react in case of fearful situations and distress. It also helps people learn social skills that, in turn, help fight social distress. CBT can be conducted individually or among groups, which is especially effective if a group suffers from similar stresses. People are given homework too to maximize their control over their bodies in stress-prone situations.
Find Out How we can Help you at East Anglia Psychotherapy
At Novaselves we have a team of qualified psychotherapists and counsellors who will work with you to help you tackle your deal with your stress and help you move forward.
