Psychotherapy for Stress
Modern-day life is stressful and can be overwhelming; especially when we combine the many external demands placed on us with the internal demands we place on ourselves. We now not only have to endure the pressures of work or unemployment, family and relationships, financial issues, but health stress has also become a very present concern of late, what with the emergence of COVID-19 and its global consequences. What many of us do not realise is that stress can be just as severe as many other mental health issues and left unaddressed may leave us suffering from some serious symptoms. Let us take a closer look at stress and whether it is time for you to reach out to a therapist for stress.
What is stress?
Stress is characterised as a response to any sort of emotional or mental pressure. Like anxiety, stress in small doses can be a useful motivator, pushing us to get things done in all areas of our lives. But when we are constantly exposed to stressful feelings over a prolonged period, we can start to feel fragile and ‘burned-out’. The latter is a feeling of severe anxiety that can make even the smallest task feel overwhelming. This is often because our thoughts and judgements are clouded, and we feel foggy-headed in a way that makes concentrating very difficult. When we feel anxious, scared or stressed, our bodies release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol which can lead to physical manifestations like sweating or increased pulse. When we expose ourselves to stress over a longer period of time, other symptoms, both physical and mental, can manifest themselves and begin to affect our behaviours.
Symptoms of stress
Stress symptoms can impact us in physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural ways and will show up as any one, or a number of, the feelings below:
Increased heart rate, which can feel like palpitations
Chest pain
High blood pressure
Tense muscles
Headaches and/or migraines
Dizziness
Stomach issues/IBS
Lack of libido
Feeling tired and sleeping too much or too little
Feeling agitated, frustrated or angry
Feeling tearful and/or overwhelmed
Constantly worrying
Being forgetful
Racing thoughts
Poor decision making
Having trouble focussing, which can lead to making mistakes at work or school
Finding it hard to relax
Lacking motivation
Rushing from one task to another, sometimes without finishing the first
Avoiding places or people
Eating too much or too little
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Causes of stress
Stress can come from various sources and is more often than not attributed to one, if not more, of the following factors:
Work: Work-related stress is not exclusive to worrying solely about our workload and whether we can cope. Work-related stress can also be broken down into a number of more specific stressors. For example, ideas around ‘imposter syndrome’ and the feeling that our colleagues might at any moment realise that we are not as qualified as they may think.
Low self-esteem is another issue, and although it can present similarly to ‘imposter syndrome', it focuses more on perfectionism and the feeling that we are not good enough. Usually when we suffer from low self-esteem, we will downplay our achievements or dismiss earned compliments. Fear of failure, or anxiety about public speaking is also not uncommon.
Feeling uncertain or unsatisfied at work is a major stressor for many of us. This can include feeling unsure of whether to stay in our jobs, having difficulties with colleagues, worrying about retirement, or fearing redundancy.
Unemployment and the stress of looking for a job can also profoundly negatively impact us and increase stress.
Relationships: In our lives we form many bonds and our relationships can extend to family, friends, colleagues, significant others, and children. If friction develops in any one of these many relationships, we can start to feel stressed. Relationship stress can also include trying for a baby, getting divorced or having to care for someone long-term.
Financial: Struggling to budget for our expenses, encountering unexpected bills, having to borrow money, planning a wedding or buying a house; worrying about money in any way over a medium to long period, can be a large contributor to stress.
Health: Being ill or injured can trigger stress, and in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the fear of illness can also be a factor. Health stress can easily extend to the illness, injury or loss of a loved one.
Coronavirus: Stress surrounding coronavirus can straddle all or some of the categories listed above. Some people will worry about their health and financial issues, for example, whilst others may be concerned about losing their jobs or how the virus might affect their loved ones. For some of us it might just be difficult staying home alone, especially when we are already struggling with anxiety or depression; or it might be difficult to go back to face-to-face work or social engagements, having been isolated or locked-down for so long.
When do you need a therapist for stress?
Feelings of stress have become so ever-present in modern life that we tend to shrug them off, telling ourselves to get on with things. Furthermore, we can see people around us who are seemingly able to cope with similar pressures. However, comparing ourselves, and the way we deal with our anxieties, to others only adds to the mounting stress because we consequently feel weak for not being able to cope. This can quickly morph into self-critical thinking that tends to aggravate and amplify existing symptoms of stress, trapping us in a vicious cycle. Stress, and how we deal with it, is as important as any other mental health issue. Realising we are deserving of help is the first step to finding the tools that will enable us to cope with stress better in the future. If stress is affecting our behaviour, thinking, or emotions in any way, it might be time to reach out for stress therapy in central and west London.
Stress therapy: Types of treatment
Similar to depression, coping better with stress might require a combination of lifestyle changes and therapy. Being active or connecting with people are both excellent ways of looking to make positive changes in our life. With therapy, a good place to start is by arranging a consultation where we will work collaboratively to assess the areas of stress, your individual challenges and what you are hoping to achieve with therapy. From there, The Modern Psychotherapist, as a therapist for stress, will utilise any number of the following techniques to begin to alleviate the symptoms of stress.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy is based on Sigmund Freud’s theory that problematic past experiences are rooted in the unconscious mind. These unconscious experiences affect our thoughts and feelings. With this therapeutic technique, we aim to bring these challenging experiences and resistances into the conscious mind where we are able to better understand them. In understanding them, we are then able to work towards changing them, and in so doing, alleviating the symptoms and distress they cause.
Humanistic and Person-Centred Counselling: Person-centred counselling focusses on every individual’s ability to lead a more fulfilling life. The humanistic frame is there to help you articulate any thoughts and feelings that may inhibit you from reaching your full potential. At The Modern Psychotherapist, stress therapy in central London and stress therapy in west London takes place in a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space where I will aid you in understanding and articulating distressing experiences as we begin a process of self-discovery and change.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: This form of therapy has been proven to help with reducing stressful thoughts and feelings. Cognitive behavioural therapy is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected, and if one area should suffer, the knock on effect will negatively impact the other two areas as well, thus trapping us in a negative cycle. With Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or more commonly referred to as CBT, a therapist for stress will work with you to make positive changes to one of these areas, which will in turn, positively influence other areas.
If you are ready to take the first step to get in touch with a therapist for stress, I am a fully qualified (MAPsych, PGDipPsych) and registered (MBACP) integrative psychotherapist, servicing the following areas of Central and West London:
Stress Therapy Central London
Stress Therapy West London
I also have experience in helping clients with depression, anxiety, low-self esteem and low self-confidence, trauma, relationship and family dynamics, communication, anger management, and bereavement.
Common Questions:
Does my GP need to refer me for stress therapy?
There is no need for a referral letter from your GP. You are welcome to reach out to The Modern Psychotherapist directly by phone, email or text to discuss how we can work together, and begin the process of understanding and articulating your thoughts and feelings, and thereby beginning to alleviate your symptoms. I am contactable on:
E: anthony@themodernpsychotherapist.com
P: 07306650284
Can I change my appointment slot from week to week?
As with many things in life, consistency is key, which is why a regular slot is a contributing factor to the benefits of therapy. Together, we will decide on a time that works with our respective schedules and ideally stick to it so you can begin to feel as though you have a safe haven for your thoughts every week. This is the process by which we start to learn emotional regulation. If for whatever reason, you can not attend I am flexible about moving or cancelling appointments, as long as it is within 48 hours notice of your original appointment.