Health and Psychology

Stress affects us in many ways, including:

• Emotionally – anxiety, depression, tension, anger, fatigue

• The way we think – poor concentration, forgetfulness, indecisiveness, apathy, hopelessness

• Behaviorally – increased drinking and smoking, insomnia, accident proneness, weight problems, obsessive-compulsive behavior, nervousness, drug use.

Stress does not cause illness. Illness is caused by a breakdown in the immune system allowing in microscopic invaders such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungus, or prions, or autoimmune disorders or genetic conditions.

Stress is a process, not a diagnosis. We experience stress when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us, and our resources to cope with those demands. The level and extent of stress a person may feel depends a great deal on their attitude to a particular situation. An event that may be extremely stressful for one person can be barely noticeable in another person’s life.

You should seek psychological treatment if:

• You feel stressed often

• Particular things stress you and you feel they are beyond your control

• You feel your reactions to stress are extreme or worry you

• You feel anxious or depressed about stress.

We can help with evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression. We can also help with differential diagnosis. Feel free to contact us.