Stress, anxiety, depression and employment.

The number of people suffering stress, anxiety and depression because of redundancies, job insecurity and pay cuts is rising, recent research reveals. Worries about the effects of the economic downturn have produced a sharp increase in the incidence of depression which has jumped by between four and five-fold. Among those who have lost their jobs in the last year, 71% have suffered symptoms of depression, 55% said the same about stress and 52% experienced symptoms of anxiety.

Full article: www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/apr/01/recession-surge-mental-health-problems  

What makes people happier than money?

Psychological therapy is more than 30 times more more effective at making people happier than a lottery win or a large pay rise, according to newly-published research. The study conducted by the University of Warwick and the University of Manchester found that society vastly overestimates the importance of money in improving well-being and mental health. Chris Boyce, of the University of Warwick, and Alex Wood, from the University of Manchester, conducted the research by comparing large data sets in which thousands of people had reported on their well-being. They then examined how well-being changed due to therapy, compared to the results of sudden increases in income. The researchers found that an £800 course of therapy had such a large effect on well-being that it would take a pay rise of over £25,000 to achieve an equivalent increase in happiness. Entitled Money or Mental Health: The Cost of Alleviating Psychological Distress with Monetary Compensation versus Psychological Therapy, the study also looked at deteriorating mental health despite huge economic gains in developed countries over the past five decades. University of Warwick researcher Chris Boyce said: "We have shown that psychological therapy could be much more cost-effective than financial compensation at alleviating psychological distress. "This is not only important in courts of law, where huge financial awards are the default way in which pain and suffering are compensated, but has wider implications for public health and well-being." "Often the importance of money for improving our well-being and bringing greater happiness is vastly over-valued in our societies."
If you want to read the full article just Google “Money or mental health” Warwick university

What is Stress?

In small doses, stress can be a good thing. It can give you the push you need, motivating you to do your best and to stay focused and alert. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work or gets you to study when you'd rather be watching TV. However when the going gets too tough and life's demands exceed your ability to cope, stress becomes a threat to both your physical and emotional well-being.

The “fight-or-flight” stress response involves a cascade of biological changes that prepare us for emergency action. When danger is sensed, a small part of the brain called the hypothalamus sets off a chemical alarm. The sympathetic nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol. These stress hormones race through the bloodstream, readying us to either flee the scene or battle it out. Heart rate and blood flow to the large muscles increase so we can run faster and fight harder. Blood vessels under the skin constrict to prevent blood loss in case of injury, pupils dilate so we can see better, and our blood sugar ramps up, giving us an energy boost and speeding up reaction time. At the same time, body processes not essential to immediate survival are suppressed. The digestive and reproductive systems slow down, growth hormones are switched off, and the immune response is inhibited.

The biological stress response is meant to protect and support us. It’s what helped our stone age ancestors survive the life-or-death situations they commonly faced. But in the modern world, most of the stress we feel is in response to psychological rather than physical threats. Unfortunately, our bodies don't make this distinction.Whether we’re stressed over a looming deadline, an argument with a friend, or a mountain of bills, the warning bells ring. And just like a caveman confronting a Sabre tooth tiger, we go into automatic overdrive.

If you have a lot of responsibilities and worries, you may be running on stress a lot of the time—launching into emergency mode with every traffic jam, phone call from the in-laws, or segment of the evening news. But the problem with the stress response is that the more it’s activated, the harder it is to shut off. Instead of levelling off once the crisis has passed, your stress hormones, heart rate, and blood pressure remain elevated.

Furthermore, extended or repeated activation of the stress response takes a heavy toll on the body. Prolonged exposure to stress increases your risk of everything from heart disease, obesity, and infection to anxiety, depression, and memory problems.

Because of the widespread damage it can cause, it’s essential to learn how to deal with stress in a more positive way and reduce its impact on your daily life.

In these times of economic uncertainty, seeing a therapeutic coach like Denise or Jacob, may seem like a bit of a luxury. However the reality is that if you don’t take care of yourself and seek some help now, you may find that you end up paying a much higher price in the long run.

What value do you put on your peace of mind?

What value do you place on your physical, emotional and psychological well being?

During stressful periods it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and lose sight of what is really important. It can be hard to keep your head and not get consumed by fear. Let one of us help you to discover how to effectively filter your external influences carefully and take control of your mental and emotional states in a positive way.

Even if it feels as if life is happening to you at the moment…. let one of us show you how you can take control of your internal world so that you can stay resourceful and keep your head, even if those around you are losing theirs! 

 
Causes of Stress
The potential causes of stress are numerous and highly individual. What you consider stressful depends on many factors, including your personality, general outlook on life, problem-solving abilities and social support system. Something that's stressful to you may not bother someone else, or they may even enjoy it. For example, your morning commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy listening to music while they drive. The pressures and demands that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. However, anything that forces us to adjust can be a stressor. This includes positive events such as getting married or receiving a promotion. Regardless of whether an event is good or bad, if the adjustment it requires strains our coping skills and adaptive resources, the end result is stress.
Major life changes
Major life events are stressors. Whether it be a divorce, a child leaving home, a pregnancy, a move to a new town, a career change, or a diagnosis of cancer, the faster or more dramatic the change, the greater the strain. Furthermore, the more major life changes you’re dealing with at any one time, the more stress you’ll feel.
Daily hassles and demands
While major life changes are stressful, they are also relative rarities. After all, it’s not every day that you file for divorce or have a baby. However, you may battle traffic, argue with your family members, or worry about your finances on a daily basis. Because these small upsets occur so regularly, they end up affecting us the most. Daily causes of stress include:Environmental stressors – Your physical surroundings can set off the stress response. Examples of environmental stressors include an unsafe neighbourhood, pollution, noise (sirens keeping you up at night, a barking dog next door), and uncomfortable living conditions. For people living in crime-ridden areas or war-torn regions, the stress may be unrelenting. Family and relationship stressors – Problems with friends, romantic partners, and family members are common daily stressors. Marital disagreements, dysfunctional relationships, rebellious teens, or caring for a chronically-ill family member or a child with special needs can all send stress levels skyrocketing. Work stressors – In our career-driven society, work can be an ever-present source of stress. Work stress is caused by things such as job dissatisfaction, an exhausting workload, insufficient pay, office politics, and conflicts with your boss or co-workers or the threat of being made redundant. Social stressors – Your social situation can cause stress. For example, poverty, financial pressures, racial and sexual discrimination or harassment, unemployment, isolation or a lack of social support all take a toll on daily quality of life.

Internal Causes of Stress
Not all stress is caused by external pressures and demands. Your stress can also be self-generated. Internal causes of stress can include: Uncertainty or worries Pessimistic attitude Self-criticism Unrealistic expectations or beliefs Perfectionism Low self-esteem Excessive or unexpressed anger Lack of assertiveness

Risk factors for stress
The presence of a stressor doesn’t automatically result in disabling stress symptoms. The degree to which any stressful situation or event impacts your daily functioning depends partly on the nature of the stressor itself and partly on your own personal and external resources. The nature of the stressor Stressors that involve central aspects of your life (your marriage, your job) or are chronic issues (a physical disability, the financial pressure of too much month left at the end of the money!) are more likely to cause severe distress. A crisis experience Sudden, intense crisis situations (being raped, robbed or attacked) are understandably overwhelming. Without immediate intervention and treatment, debilitating stress symptoms are common. Multiple stressors or life changes Stressors are cumulative, so the more life changes or daily hassles you're dealing with at any one time, the more intense the symptoms of stress. Your perception of the stressor The same stressor can have very different effects on different people. For example, public speaking stresses many people out, but others thrive on it. Additionally, if you’re able to see some benefit to the situation—the silver lining or a lesson learned—the stressor is easier to swallow. Your knowledge and preparation The more you know about a stressful situation, including how long it will last and what to expect, the better able you’ll be to face it. For example, if you go into surgery with a realistic picture of what to expect post-op, a painful recovery will be less traumatic than if you were expecting to bounce back immediately. Your stress tolerance Some people roll with the punches, while others crumble at the slightest obstacle or frustration. The more confidence you have in yourself and your ability to persevere, the better able you’ll be to take a stressful situation in stride. Your support network A strong network of supportive friends and family members is an enormous buffer against life’s stressors. But the more lonely or isolated you are, the higher your risk of stress.

Some Symptoms of Stress

Cognitive & Emotional Symptoms
Memory problems Indecisiveness Inability to concentrate Trouble thinking clearly Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying Loss of objectivity Fearful anticipation Moodiness Agitation Restlessness Short temper Irritability, impatience Inability to relax Feeling tense and “on edge” Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness
Physical & Behavioural Symptoms
Headaches or backaches Muscle tension and stiffness Diarrhoea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Insomnia Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Weight gain or loss Skin breakouts (hives, eczema) Loss of sex drive Frequent colds Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself Procrastination, neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits Teeth grinding or jaw clenching Overdoing activities (e.g. exercising, shopping) Overreacting/picking arguments