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Apr 01 2024

Can Unchecked Stress Lead to Mental Disorders?

A young adult in their late twenties looking stressed while stuck in traffic - Can Unchecked Stress Lead to Mental DisordersEver felt like one of those days turned into one of those weeks, then months? You know, where your coffee spills, the traffic’s horrendous, your emails pile up, and suddenly you’re joking about “losing your mind”? It’s a quip many of us throw around, but what if there’s more to that phrase than just a casual jest?

Stress isn’t just an unwanted guest; it’s often a long-term tenant in our lives. The fleeting anxieties of the day may seem minor, but what happens when they accumulate, unaddressed, over time?

Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of daily stress and uncover its potential link to more serious mental health challenges. And remember, as Hans Selye, the pioneer in stress research, once remarked:

It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.

The Science Behind Stress

Life’s little nuisances might feel like momentary hiccups, but ever wondered what’s brewing under the hood? Let’s unpack the science of how everyday pressures can potentially pile up, affecting our mental health.

The Brain and Stress

Imagine you’re a prehistoric human, and there’s a saber-toothed tiger lurking nearby. Your brain’s alarm system – the ‘fight or flight’ response – kicks in, preparing you to either confront the tiger or make a speedy exit. Handy, right? Well, today, our tigers might be angry emails or traffic jams, but our brain’s ancient response still fires up just the same.

  • Short-term vs. Long-term stress: Short-term stress is like a sprint – quick and intense – helping you dodge those metaphorical tigers. Long-term stress, on the other hand, is a marathon without a finish line, taxing your body and mind constantly.
  • The hormone cortisol and its effects: When stressed, our bodies release cortisol, a handy chemical in small doses. However, when it overstays its welcome due to chronic stress, it can lead to problems like sleep disruptions and even memory issues. Think of it as an overeager friend: fun in short bursts but overwhelming if they never leave.

Chronic Stress

So, what happens when stress decides to set up permanent residence in your life? Let’s dive deeper.

  1. Fatigue: Ever felt like you’re running on empty? Chronic stress saps your energy, making you feel perpetually tired.
  2. Headaches: Stress can lead to tension headaches, making it feel like you’re wearing a hat two sizes too small.
  3. Anxiety: That constant, nagging feeling that something’s amiss? Chronic stress can heighten feelings of anxiety, making molehills seem like mountains.

Stress might come off as that annoying neighbor who keeps popping by uninvited, but its effects can be more profound than we realize. By understanding the science behind it, we’re better equipped to address and manage it.

From Stress to Mental Disorders

We all have our “bad days”, right? The coffee that tipped over, the lost set of keys, that maddening traffic jam. But sometimes, it’s not just about the ‘bad day’; it’s about the accumulation of many bad days, slowly seeping into our well-being.

Normalizing Stress: A Dangerous Precedent

In today’s fast-paced world, stress is almost worn like a badge of honor. “Busy” becomes synonymous with “important”, and amidst juggling work, family, and social commitments, the idea of self-care often gets tossed aside. We tend to ignore the small fires of daily stressors, thinking they’re just part and parcel of modern life. But when they combine, they can create an inferno that’s much harder to control.

Here’s the tricky part: we start adjusting our sails to this storm of stress, believing it’s the ‘new normal’. We tell ourselves it’s okay, that everyone’s going through the same grind, that the hustle is real. We become so accustomed to this heightened state of tension that moments of genuine relaxation feel foreign, almost guilty.

But here’s the thing: self-love isn’t selfish. Taking time for oneself, pausing to breathe, or just indulging in a hobby isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s akin to putting on your oxygen mask first before helping others. By continually sidelining our well-being and accepting constant stress as our status quo, we do a disservice not only to ourselves but also to our loved ones and our broader communities.

The irony? We often prioritize everything else above our mental well-being, forgetting that a calm mind can make everything else fall into place with greater ease. Recognizing and breaking this cycle is the first step towards reclaiming our peace.

Recognizing the Signs of mental disorders

Wondering when it’s more than just “one of those days”? Here are some signs that stress might be taking a toll:

Shift in sleep patterns: Are you tossing and turning more than usual? Or maybe hitting the snooze button a few too many times? Such changes in sleep habits can indicate increasing stress levels.

Changes in mood or behavior: Feeling more irritable or withdrawn than your usual self? Noticeable shifts in mood or behavior can be tell-tale signs that stress is starting to pile up.

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. – William James

Strategies to Cope and Thrive

Before you reach for that stress ball or consider hiding under your desk, let’s explore some tried and tested ways to manage and redirect daily stress. The good news? It’s simpler than you might think, and sometimes, just a click away!

The Role of Therapy

We live in an age where you don’t need to physically walk into a therapist’s office to get help. Platforms like eTherapyPro are revolutionizing the way we approach mental health, making therapy accessible, flexible, and in many cases, more affordable.

Benefits of online therapy:

  1. Convenience: Attend sessions from the comfort of your home.
  2. Anonymity: Offers a level of privacy traditional therapy might not.
  3. Flexibility: Schedule sessions that fit your timetable.
  4. Access: No geographical barriers mean a wider selection of specialists.

Daily Habits for a Healthier Mind

If therapy sounds too heavy, or even if you’re already on that path, incorporating certain daily habits can boost your mental fortitude:

Mindfulness and meditation: These aren’t just buzzwords. Dedicating a few minutes to being present can significantly reduce feelings of overwhelm.

Physical activity and its brain benefits: Exercise isn’t just for muscles. A good workout releases endorphins, nature’s mood lifters!

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but sinking under its weight isn’t. With the right tools and habits, we can navigate through life’s storms with a bit more grace and a lot less worry.

Conclusion

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, daily stressors can easily become overwhelming. Yet, understanding and acknowledging these pressures is the first step in mastering them. It’s essential to be proactive about our mental well-being, seeking support when necessary and employing the strategies that work best for us. So, the next time you find stress knocking on your door, remember it’s not about shoving it out but about welcoming it and showing it its place. Always recall: it’s not about eliminating stress, but mastering it. You’ve got this!

Written by Anais Villanueva · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: anxiety, best online therapy, chronic stress, mental stress, mental well-being

May 14 2022

Mental Health Counseling – How Does It Help?

Mental Health counseling

In the United States alone, there are over 45 million adults with mental health issues and just over 42% of them reach out to mental health professionals for assistance. Across the world, one in five individuals suffers from mental health concerns. This is an alarming statistic by any standard when you consider what a profound impact mental health issues can have on people’s lives and their loved ones.

Regular mental health counseling offers a wide range of benefits that can help you get your life back on track. Attending counseling is a worthwhile investment of your time and effort. We explain everything you need to know about mental health counseling.

Who is a Mental Health Counselor?

A mental health counselor is a trained professional with formal education in psychology. They can assess an individual, discuss their mental health concerns with them, and provide a diagnosis. They can also recommend different strategies and coping mechanisms to help patients improve their quality of life.

A counselor can’t prescribe medication but they can help in every other way. If your health concern requires medical intervention, the counselor will either encourage you to seek a psychiatrist or recommend one from their professional connections.

Does Mental Health Counseling Help?

If you’re on the verge of googling mental health counseling near me but hesitating, it is a good idea to leap. You can back out after a couple of sessions if you feel it isn’t doing anything to help. However, if you stick with it, you will see several benefits like the ones mentioned below:

1. Provide a Safe Space

The most important thing counselors provide is a safe space. You can speak your mind, be open about your concerns, and explain your struggles to the counselor. Sometimes all you need is someone patient and willing to hear what you have to say. Just a few free mental health counseling sessions can help you feel safe with the therapist.

A safe space is one of the biggest hurdles in people’s journey toward mental health. Most don’t know whether they can trust even their loved ones with their thoughts and burdens. Speaking with a professional who is being paid to listen to you is a relief and can help people overcome the initial barrier.

2. Identify Mental Health Issues

A counselor is trained to identify their patient’s mental health issues by listening to their concerns and asking guiding questions. It usually takes several discussions for a counselor to come up with a proper diagnosis. However, identifying a mental health issue is the key to developing a good solution.

It may take the psychologist some time to come to the right conclusion, which is why it is important to attend a few sessions with them. If there is a good rapport between a patient and a counselor, the issues are easier to deal with. Once the mental health issues are identified, you have a solid roadmap and can plan a treatment process that will help you improve your quality of life.

3. Identify the Root Causes of the Issues

Once the mental health conditions are identified, the therapist will move on to identifying the root cause. Mental health issues can develop for several reasons ranging from chemical imbalances in your body to the outside environment. For example, children from abusive households often have long-term mental health problems like anxiety, self-esteem issues, depression, etc.

Identifying the root cause helps therapists develop a good treatment plan that doesn’t just address the symptoms but also the root cause. For example, if your lingering depression started after you lost a friend to an accident, the therapist will help you process the grief and develop a healthier mindset towards it.

4. Recommend Ways to Overcome or Manage Them

The next step is to develop ways to overcome or manage your mental health concerns. There are several ways to do this. Changes in lifestyle, regular therapy sessions, discussing your problems, and getting advice from a different perspective – all of these factors can help you manage your mental health concerns.

Therapists are trained to come up with solutions that would suit their client’s unique requirements. With the therapist’s help, you can develop coping mechanisms that will work for you and reduce the impact of your mental health on other aspects of your life. Coping mechanisms don’t just help you when you are triggered but also help you avoid those triggers.

5. Set Personal Milestones Regarding Mental Health

Setting milestones can help individuals track their progress on their mental health journey. Tracking your progress is important because that can help you stay motivated. Many people struggle to remain consistent with their therapy and lifestyle changes. It is very easy to relapse sometimes, which is where milestones can help.

By looking for a mental health counselor near me, you have already taken a big first step. The next step is to remain consistent. Every time you hit a milestone, you can congratulate yourself and feel a sense of accomplishment.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Written by Etherapy-Blogs · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: mental health, Mental Health Counseling, mental hoarding disorder, mental stress

Feb 21 2022

Learn The True Connection Between the Physical Health and Mental Health

Physical Health and Mental Health

Many people believe that both mental and physical health are different things and that there is no connection between the two. You must learn the truth. The fact is that both physical and mental health are interrelated. In case your mental health is unstable, the repercussions will be visible on your physical health as well. As soon as the mental health of a person declines, slowly and gradually people start becoming weak. As per various researchers, it is also seen that happiness reduces the level of inflammation in the body. So, you must try to remain happy

Many people are suffering from problems like chronic pain, heart disease, thyroid disease, and even multiple sclerosis. If you want to remain happy and healthy, take care of your mental health. Life is very long, and you must enjoy every second to stay healthy. You can get help from an online therapist if your mental peace is disturbed. The therapists know how to treat their patients.

Maintain a positive outlook in life even after the diagnosis of a serious disease

The diagnosis of a serious, life-threatening ailment can disturb the entire mental peace. However, you must retain a positive outlook in life. Ailments like heart disease and stroke can prove to be deadly. All such problems lead to depression in the long run. Depression can have a great impact on your mind. If the mental peace is lost, everything appears to be upside down. Do not allow depression to take a toll on your health. If you need some help, take some assistance from the etherapy pro. Try to live your life to the fullest, and this will improve the condition of your mental health. Keep an optimistic mindset towards life. Be positive that everything will become good in the end, Do not take stress beyond the limit.

A healthy diet is the key to the happiness

There is an easy solution if you are struggling with mental or physical health. Take a rich breakfast and eat better meals throughout the day. For further assistance, just approach an online counselor free service. Take ideas from them regarding the diet. Try to include wheat, grain, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. Do not consume soft drinks or fast food in vast quantities because they do not produce energy but only fat.

Include exercising in your daily routine

Regular exercising keeps the body in perfect shape. Keep your weight in control, and it is also possible to raise the level of energy. Try to feel better, and you will combat depression in a much better way. Through proper and timely exercising, you can fight problems such as obesity. The activity of exercising generates warmth in the body.

Take sound sleep to relax the entire soul

Your body must get sufficient sleep. When the body receives sufficient rest, the body heals properly. So, if you are sick, just try to get sufficient sleep at least eight hours in one day. It will make you active and alert. Do not take alcohol or indulge in activities like smoking. Take help from experts of e therapy pro and keep yourself in a fit condition. When health is stable, you can easily fight all problems.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Written by Etherapy-Blogs · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: mental health, mental hoarding disorder, mental stress, online counselor free, physical health

Aug 30 2021

Manage Stress with Promising Techniques to Relax your Mind

Manage Stress with Promising Techniques
Manage Stress

Stress management is the goal of any form of intervention to achieve anxiety relief. Stress is a specific response of the body to emotions and thoughts arising in the mind. Stress not only exhibits changes in behaviors, but also physiological changes which are all characteristics of stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably. However, the distinction between them is that stress is a response of the body to anxiety.

Stress management is therefore an integral part of the treatment of anxiety. Psychologists and counselors often work hard with the patients suffering from anxiety disorders to teach them how to manage their stress and therefore how to stop anxiety. They teach their patients about what does anxiety feel like, what is an anxiety attack, dealing with anxiety and how to calm anxiety. The last two are basically the methods of stress management which we shall describe in detail in this article.

Stress management techniques:

The following are some of the most practiced stress management techniques having excellent efficacy in controlling stress:

  • Regular physical exercise Regular exercise in the form of walk, cycling, stretching, swimming or any other aerobic exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress on a long-term basis. Regular exercise has proven to decrease stress levels in individuals significantly and is often the first and most important techniques advised by a therapist to any patient of anxiety disorders.
  • Breathing exercises Breathing exercises are specifically designed exercises focusing on breathing by the patients of anxiety disorders. Deep breathing is commonly demonstrated to the patients and they are asked to practice it regularly throughout their and especially in moments where they perceive high stress. Deep breathing not only provides relief from acute stress at once, but it also reduces the appearance of signs of anxiety on a long-term basis, if practiced regularly.
  • Progressive muscle relaxation technique Progressive muscle relaxation technique is a slow and progressive relaxation of the muscles of the body. In this technique, groups of the muscles of the body are allowed to relax progressively in groups starting from muscles of the forehead or muscles of the feet. Once completed, progressive muscle relaxation leads to disposal of stress from the body. Muscle relaxation is accompanied by deep breathing to yield greater results in stress management.
  • Living in the present One of the most effective ways of managing stress is learning to live in the present. People suffering from stressful periods and anxious states are often apprehensive about the future or remorseful about their past. Focusing on the present gets rid of both of these states to ensure a stress-free time.
  • Mindfulness Mindfulness means focusing on something deeply to get rid of stressful thoughts.
  • Meditation Techniques Meditation focuses on living in the present and mindfulness. Meditation techniques like yoga, Tai Chai and prayers help a lot in managing stress.

 

If you have been experiencing Depression please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Written by Etherapy-Blogs · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: Acute Stress Disorder, mental stress, mindfulness based stress reduction near me, nature of stress, Stress

Apr 04 2018

The Fight/Flight/or Freeze Response

There is a stranger in your house. You can hear the noise, but you are not sure who it is, or what they want. Without thinking anything, your body is already gearing up for some sort of action. Your neurochemistry is subtly changing, and your autonomic nervous system is firing rapidly, and all of this is taking place in less than the blink of an eye. What you are experiencing is the fight/flight/or freeze reflex to stress.

The fight/flight/or freeze response is an inherent trait that almost all humans have. It was a response that, likely millions of years ago, served our distant ancestors well, and helped keep them alive and safe, which led to that specific trait being passed down to all of us through the ages. During this near instantaneous reaction, the body quickly gears up to react in some way in order to ensure its survival. The freeze stress response is very common.

The fight/flight/or freeze response does not have to be taught, and so long as a person’s body is functioning relatively normally, they can experience this stress response. When presented with an immediate stressor, the body releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. The heart rate elevates, and blood is directed away from the organs and toward the arms and legs to enable fighting or fleeing. Less energy is expended on functions such as thought and digestion because all of the body’s capabilities are mobilized to respond to stress. This explains why the response causes immediate reaction with no thought required, or likely possible; the energy the body is providing is going to act, not to think. The brain is effectively left out of this loop. You will find many fight or flight response examples and it is possible to learn from them.

While this was an effective evolutionary reaction to danger and threats when we as a species fought for survival, now it is often not a useful response when a person is getting agitated in a traffic jam or has to speak in front of a conference.

The fight/flight or freeze stress response is what activates when the brain identifies a threat, and that threat can be anything, even things that are not a physical danger, like public speaking. The fight/flight/freeze response does not easily differentiate between actual threat, like the above example of someone breaking into your home, and a perceived threat, such as public speaking. You can suddenly face the situation of freeze flight or fight.

The fight/flight/freeze response is at its most helpful during short, intense periods of danger. There are many flight freeze examples that can give you lessons.

When a person experiences this response over a prolonged period of time, or repeatedly, it can lead to health problems, including an anxiety disorder.  The key to effective treatment is in finding ways to shut off this response when it is not needed. A qualified mental health professional can guide you through diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and recommend appropriate treatment for your unique situation.  Many individuals are finding success through online therapy services due to their convenience and affordability.

 

Talk to an expert about anxiety today! Start a trial of online counseling.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Written by OldeTherapyPro · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: coping strategies for stress, effects of stress on the body, Freeze Response, mental stress, nature of stress, physical effects of stress, physiological stress, reduce stress, side effects of stress, stress and anxiety, stress and intonation, Stress Disorders, stress headache, stress management, stress management strategies, stress symptoms, stressed and depressed, types of stress, workplace stress

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