Issues & Solutions

Stress is a normal natural response to a pressurised situation.

A small amount of stress can be motivating but a prolonged amount can be damaging to both physical, psychological and emotional health.

Different people react differently to stress. There are some who can deal with large amounts and some who find it hard to cope with very small amounts of stress; some may feel motivated while others feel overwhelmed.  Some might consider it healthy and a useful driver to fix and sort out certain situations in their life, while others might find it brings their lives to a standstill.

Some stressful situations arise when we feel we have a lack of control in our lives or experience a major life change. Sometimes stress can be the result of the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure. Whatever the cause of the stress the long-term effects can be detrimental to your health, your emotions and your overall wellbeing.

Whatever the cause of the stress, when it begins to affect your life in a detrimental way it is time to seek help as prolonged exposure to stress can lead to other mental health issues.

Causes can include:

• Marriage
• Baby
• New job
• Divorce
• Bereavement
• Moving house
• Problems at work
• Problems within a relationship
• Finances

Symptoms can include:

• Anger
• Agitation
• Crying
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Low self esteem
• Avoiding friends/social situations
• Difficulty sleeping
• Excessive alcohol or drug use
• Chest pains/palpitations
• Dizziness

If your stress is becoming overwhelming or affecting your life in a detrimental way you may find it helpful to meet with your GP or a trained counsellor or therapist.

National charities and support groups for this issue: