All of us experience some level of stress from time to time. Unfortunately, the American Institute of Stress has called it a leading health problem in the United States. Stress is a very personal experience and what is stressful for one person might not be for another. While some degree of stress is considered normal, if it’s consistently having a negative impact on your day to day life, it’s time to get help to get stress management help.
[ezcol_1half]
What causes Stress?
Both negative and positive experiences as well as life transitions can cause stress. A few of the more common stressors in life include:
- Financial problems
- Experiencing a loss
- Moving
- Divorce
- Having a child
- Discrimination
- Beginning and finishing school
- Diagnosis of a serious illness
These common stress triggers are considered to be normal parts of the life cycle. Obviously, not everyone will go through a divorce be diagnosed with a serious illness, but many will encounter discrimination, the loss of a job, go through a breakup and other stressful situations, whether they’re minor or major. For some people, stress is just an occasional part of life and they know that things will be better the next day. For others, stress can be constant and unbearable. Chronic stress contributes to an array of physical and mental health issues. Studies have linked chronic stress levels to:
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Stroke and heart attack
- Migraine headaches
- Anger problems
- Mental health changes
- A decrease in intimacy
- Hypersomnia or Insomnia
- An increase or reduction of appetite
- Self-medicating with alcohol and drugs
- Avoiding social activities
- Loss of enjoyment or productivity at work
When these symptoms of stress occur, they typically clear up once the stressful scenario is resolved. However, if left untreated, they can develop into serious problems.
Counseling for Stress
In the event the stress leads to chronic physical problems and pain, drug abuse, a lack of relaxation and pleasure, or when it affects your overall well-being negatively, it’s important to meet with an experienced therapist. Therapy can help address stress triggers and their side effects on a person’s life. At Bullhead City Psychotherapy, we can help treat the manifested symptoms of stress and work through the problems that are causing it. Besides one on one treatment, if the stress is the result of a relationship or family issue, family or couples therapy can help resolve the problems, resulting in a decrease in the amounts of stress experienced. Therapists will also be able to give advice and stress reducing tactics that patients can use to manage stress anytime, anywhere.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is also a highly effective form of stress therapy. This technique helps alter negative thought patterns that come about as a result of stress, helping the person in treatment discover new ways of thinking about stressful situations that won’t have such a negative effect.
If you need help with stress management, please give us a call today or fill out the form to schedule an appointment. Our professional counselors are ready to help.
[/ezcol_1half]
[ezcol_1half_end]
Schedule My Free Consultation
[/ezcol_1half_end]