Stress Strikes Back
Sometimes, when we are feeling depressed, anxious, confused or unable to cope, talking to supportive friends, family members, or joining a support group may be very helpful.
We’ve discussed the symptoms of distress in previous posts and many of them can negatively influence productivity at both personal and professional levels. If coping skills and family or friend support are not enough, you should consider seeking professional counselling. While counselling cannot fix all the problems in your life, it can help you sort things out so that you feel more able to cope.
So when stress strikes, anyone can use a helping hand. Here are some common options available in most places:
The Family Doctor
Your family doctor (if you have one) can help you identify your health problem. A through look at your health profile and a complete medical examination can establish the reason for your ill health (mental or physical). Your symptoms may be the result of an illness that may or may not be due to stress.
The doctor may prescribe a treatment or suggest other options to help improve your health and manage the situation accordingly.
The Therapists
Talking to a therapist may help you deal with your feelings. You might be referred to a counsellor at a community agency or in private practice, or to a psychiatrist or psychologist who works in a hospital or has a private practice.
If you would like to know more about distinct therapy professionals, you can visit www.counsellorjobs.com.au or click here. They provide a concise guide with five major fields of mental health: counselling, psychology, psychotherapy, social work and mental health nursing. Note that qualifications and salary range are specific to the Australian context.
Stress Specialists
There are many organisations and individuals that provide stress management education and treatment. Some are psychologists; others are physiotherapists, occupational therapists or people with other kinds of training. To find out what’s available, look up “stress management” in the yellow pages. Phone (or email) and ask about services and fees.
Self-Help Groups
Sometimes people really feel the need to belong to a caring community. Many self-help groups (also called mutual aid groups or support groups) have developed across in the world in the past decade.
Whilst people find they need the opportunity to take charge of their own situation, having peers to share the same ‘problem’ can provide a great deal of motivation to the individual. Sometimes, understanding can only come from someone else who has experienced the same situation.
In these groups, people experiencing similar problems get together to share information and help each other cope. Members use their individual strengths to support the others. Often, they use their collective strengths to advocate for social change. For some, membership in a self-help group is an alternative to professional therapy. However, for many people a support group is useful in addition to formal helping services.
