Managing stress and anxiety
Our busy lifestyles and an imbalance between the demands made on us and our ability to cope can create a stress response.
Stress is a process and may be caused by an individual’s reaction to a situation/s. Some people thrive on stressful situations and feel it quite motivational whilst others feel fearful and pressured.
What is stress?
When the term ‘stress’ is used in a clinical sense, it refers to a situation that causes discomfort and distress for a person and can lead to other mental health problems, such as irritability, low mood, anxiety or depression.
When we experience stress our body releases cortisol which is referred to as the “fight or flight” response. Our blood pressure rises and breath rate increases which creates a greater demand on our body.
Prolonged stress can therefore lead to physical conditions such as thyroid issues, cardiovascular disease and lowered immunity and chronic fatigue or mental health issues. We often cannot change the situation that is causing the stress response but changing our attitude toward the situation can help. If you feel that your stress responses are extreme and beyond your control it is time to seek help.
Anxiety disorders: an exploration
Common anxiety disorders are generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), acute stress disorder, panic disorder (including phobias) and social anxiety disorder (fear of judgement of others). Symptoms may include but are not limited to being unable to relax, missing school, work or events due to fear or fatigue, spending a long time to complete simple tasks and avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.
Anxiety can lead to physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal disturbances, migraine or headaches, chronic pain, tense muscles, irritability, poor sleep and cardiovascular issues.
An imbalance of serotonin and other brain chemicals are often found in people with anxiety whilst having a history of trauma, chronic illness, poor diet and substance abuse can increase the risk. Anxiety is very treatable with an individual treatment plan and mental health support that changes regularly as health improves.
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