Stress and Anxiety management - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Meridian Hypnotherapy 

 

 

Don Charnock

MA Counselling & Psychotherapy (Supervision)  BA (Hons)

Integrated Therapist

Hypnotherapist

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

 

 

 

Stress Management - we will experience different levels of stress and anxiety, depending on our life history, circumstances and experiences.  I am a therapist with over twenty years experience.  The integrated therapy I use to assist with reducing stress and anxiety has been developed to be effective.  Personal appointments are confidential and the approach used will depend upon your situation and needs. 

 

Stress - affects anyone and everyone reacts differently and has different signs.  It has been said that learning about stress, gives you stress, where before you coped very well!  On the other hand, it may also give you insights that may improve your health and well-being.

 

Stress is not a mental or physical illness.

 

Stress and fear are survival instincts.  The basic role of stress is to protect us from danger!

 

In prehistoric stone-age times, humankind survived by their instincts.  "Fight or Flight" is a response to danger, as it automatically prepares a person for action.  The way this reaction works is as if we were still being chased by tigers and wolves and needed to fight the threat to our survival or flight, to run for our lives.

 

Stress  Warns us about possible threats.

  • Puts our bodies and minds on 'alert' to tackle these threats.
  • It makes us focus on the threat
  • Keeps us alert until the threat has passed.

 

Stress Responses - In our modern world, if we sense danger or threat, the primitive part of our brain, the autonomic nervous system will become alerted.  This stress response may not be appropriate, as most of our problems are not life threatening.

 

Stress and anxiety may be a factor in many ongoing situations, including relationships, work, money and health.  The primitive part of our brain which reacts, cannot tell the difference between someone who threatens to hit you and someone who threatens to critisise you.  Both wil trigger the same basic fight or flight reaction, to protect you from threat. 

 

Anxiety is often the body's response to stress.  Anxiety becomes a problem when the symptoms are severe and unpleasant, going on for too long, happening too often, causing worry or stopping us from doing what we want to do.

 

Example: fear of making a fool of yourself.  This reaction only helps you prepare to fight or flee from physical danger.  The heart beats faster - breathing quickens and deepens - muscles tense - sweating increases - bowels and bladder loosen - digestion and salivation slow down - vigilance increases - anticipation increases.  This is why we often react to stress by wanting to run away.

 

Many situations or experiences can be stressful - Our responses to stress may cause a number of emotional, psychological and physical effects that may change or develop over a period of time. 

 

  • Stage 1  The Honeymoon - Stress challenges you
  • Stage 2  Fuel Shortage - You have a vague sense of loss.  Challenge and enthusiasm have lessened.  You experience job dissatisfaction, tiredness, sleep disturbances and may eat, drink or smoke more.
  • Stage 3  Chronic Symptoms - Physical illness and loss of control of your emotions are recognised by others.
  • Stage 4 Crisis - Your acid stomach becomes an ulcer.  You become very concerned about your health and symptoms.  Discontent becomes disillusion.
  • Stage 5  Hitting the Wall - You feel loss of control.

Stress is necessary for survival, but where it leads to excessive pressure on a person's ability to cope, stress becomes destructive.  The effect of too much stress, is a person's inability to function effectively.

 

 

Home Visits - I provide assistance with many problems or issues that may be stress related.

Examples are fear of dental treatment, driving anxieties, confidence for driving test, confidence and concentration for exams, public speaking, meetings, sleep problems, anxiety and self-confidence.  Click here

Contact Don.Charnock@googlemail.com in confidence for further information.  I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have or you can arrange a home visit (Merseyside)
                                                         Please telephone   0151 2201554
Best time to call is in the evening between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, but you can leave a message any time and we will return your call.  Your confidence is assured when we work with personal issues.

 

Whatever the nature of your problems be assured of my best attention

 

 Best wishes


Don