Stress is characterised by a state of worry or mental tension associated to a situation that is perceived as difficult or threatening to handle and manage. Stress is a natural human response that prompts individuals to address challenges and threats in their lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The one responds to stress, however, makes a significant difference to overall well-being. Stress can come with a range of emotions, including anxiety and irritability. When stressed, individuals may find it difficult to concentrate and experience bodily symptoms such as headaches, pains and an upset stomach. Trouble sleeping and loss of appetite (or eating more than usual) also typically feature. Chronic stress can worsen pre-existing health problems and may increase the use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances as a means of coping.

When to seek treatment for stress

You should consider treatment for stress when:

You may often worry that that you cannot concentrate on things and are finding it harder to relax.

You notice unhelpful behaviours are increasing including working longer hours without taking breaks and becoming impatient or aggressive.

You notice unhelpful behaviours are increasing including withdrawing and putting things off, being careless or accident prone, and changing how much you eat or exercise.

You notice sleep disturbances such as waking at night and thinking about things you need to do or finding that you often feel tired and not rested.

You’re having problems sleeping.

We offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for managing stress, as there is evidence to suggest it can be of support in terms of reducing symptoms and improving both daily functioning and quality of life.

Benefits of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an evidence based, goal-oriented and collaborative psychological therapy approach that focuses on understanding the past and present connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (termed the ‘formulation’). It also offers powerful tools, strategies, and techniques to identify, challenge and reframe unhelpful thought patterns and associated feelings and behaviours, helping to significantly improve mental health and quality of life.