Stress is the feeling of being under pressure. Stress affects different people in different ways and individuals will have different mental and physical symptoms of stress.
However, sometimes, there are no clear causes of stress. Some people naturally feel more frustrated, anxious, or depressed than others, which can lead to them feeling stressed more often.
It is important to speak to someone about how you feel, particularly if it is interfering with your daily life. Speak to your GP if you are stressed or under too much pressure. There are different things that your GP may suggest, the treatment may depend on the underlying cause of your stress, the symptoms you are having or whether or not you have been diagnosed with any other conditions. Some of the treatments are outlined below (click on the treatment you want to find out more about) :-
Work out what makes you stressed and how you behave/react in these circumstances. Think of ways in which you can manage those pressures so that you can deal with them in different ways. If you are worrying about things beyond your control - try not to. Instead think about things that are within your control e.g. your workload, or your time off. Learn to say 'no'. Make a list of new priorities that you can do something about. Make a list of the stressful things in your life and a list of what would make life less stressful. Prioritise enough time to do some exercise everyday and to make sure you are eating healthily and getting enough sleep.
You will be able to talk to someone about a range of issues, such as what causes you to feel stressed. A counsellor will encourage you to discuss your feelings, and they can help you to find solutions to the problems.
To be referred for counselling you should speak to your GP. If your GP is able to refer you, you will recieve counselling through the NHS free of charge. However these kinds of therapies are not always available on the NHS, depending on the resources in your area. You may decide to seek some treatment on a private basis. A private 50 minute session can cost between £40-£100.
There are several professional bodies you can use to find a counsellor, including the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy and the Counselling Directory.
This encourages you to deal with anger in a healthy way. It includes recognising when you get angry, taking time to cool down and reducing your general stress levels in life. A typical anger management programme may involve some one-to-one counselling and working in a small group. Speak to your GP to see if they offer anger management courses in your area.
CBT describes a number of 'talking' therapies that are designed to solve problems. CBT starts with the idea that your problems are often caused by you. It is not the situation itself that is making you unhappy, but how you think about it and react to it.
If you feel that CBT may be of benefit to you, discuss it as a possible treatment option with your GP. They can refer you to someone trained in CBT, such as a psychologist, nurse, social worker or psychiatrist. Alternatively, you can get CBT privately. The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BSBCP) keeps a register of all accredited therapists in the UK. The cost of private therapy sessions varies, but is usually between £40-£100.
There are a number of independent support groups that help people recognise and overcome stress. You can search the local services database for groups in your area that may provide you with some support.
Some contact details for some national support groups are:
- Community Advice and Listening Line (CALL) - Mental Health Helpline for Wales - 0800 132 737 - www.callhelpline.org.uk. This service offers a 24 hour helpline for anyone concerned about their own mental health and/or that of a relative or friend. It offers a confidential listening and support service.
- Mind Helplines - open Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm - 0300 132 3393 - www.mind.org.uk.
- No Panic - a voluntary national charity supporting sufferers of panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders, general anxiety disorders - 0808 808 0545 - www.nopanic.org.uk.
Medication may be used if stress leads to further problems and you are diagnosed with depression or/and anxiety.
Being able to identify what leads to stress is an important step in preventing it. You may find some of these useful:
As recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) people with mild to moderate mental health problems can also be helped by reading appropriate “self-help” material. Many self-help books have been shown to be effective in helping people to manage a range of mental health problems. Such books, from a recommended list, are now available to be "prescribed" to patients, under the Book Prescription Wales scheme. To find out more, see the related links section for our Book Prescription Wales pages.