FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can medicines help me lower my stress level?

Medicines are helpful for many things, but usually not for stress. Some people take tranquilizers to calm them down immediately, but it's far better in the long term to learn to manage your stress through relaxation or stress management techniques. Be careful not to confuse stress with anxiety. If you suffer from anxiety, speak with your doctor a treatment or management plan including whether you need medication

How do I know if I need a stress management class?

Stress management classes can help you learn to handle your stress, especially if you have a "Type A" personality (constantly rushing, angry, hostile or competitive) or if your stress is nonstop. Stress management classes can be found at community colleges, rehab programs, in hospitals or by calling a therapist in your community. Classes normally last for 10 to 12 weeks and offer many techniques to help you.

Is your child troubled by depression?

Is Stress Bad For Us?

Some stress is good: It helps you to rise to the occasion. It keeps you on top of your game. It helps you feel engaged and satisfied. But the problem is that most of our stress (hopefully) is not in the form of physically threatening assaults, but in the form of psychological worries, concerns and strain. And these psychological "stressors" trigger the same hormonal cascade. The reason this is counter productive and even debilitating is that physical dangers are usually of short duration. When you escape to safety you are relieved and your systems normalize. Psychological concerns and strain and job stress and relationship strife go on and on. These worries continually keep your stress level high. And that means those systems that are "non-essential" to fighting or fleeing for your life continue to be suppressed. These include:

The Immune System

The Digestive System

The Sexual and Reproductive System.

While under stress your thinking is also effected. The brain downshifts to more simplistic levels of thinking. You don't have access to:

All of Your Knowledge

All of Your Creativity

All of Your Intellect Even for critical decision making. Stress Actually Dumbs You Down.

Looking at just one of these; We know that a suppressed immune system leaves you open to illness and disease. If you are going to manage your stress effectively, you must learn how to calm Fight or Flight and rebalance your systems. Conquering Stress does this and more.

What are some stress managment techniques?

Count your breaths

Make a list of things that you are grateful for

Taking a walk counld give you a change of senery and give you a little exercise at the same time

What are the Causes of Mental Illness?

Biological

Psychological

Environmental

How can mental health issues lead to addiction?

One very common scenario occurs when a person experiences a trauma that triggers depression, anxiety, disordered eating habits, suicidal thoughts, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In an attempt to manage the otherwise unmanageable symptoms associated with these disorders, many people turn to drugs and alcohol. These substances may initially serve to quell the anxiety, alleviate depression, or otherwise numb the pain caused by the mental health issue. However, over time, continued use of these substances will fail to bring the sought after relief and will instead create a new and equally intrusive problem: addiction.

How can I speak to and help someone with a mental health problem like depression or anxiety?

Encourage them to seek help

Don’t be afraid to bring it up

Don’t blame them

Be patient

Look after yourself: Your mental health is important, too, and looking after someone else could put a strain on your wellbeing.

What is the best way to improve my mental wellbeing?

Diet: Eating fresh fruit and vegetables daily helps provide the nutrients needed to nourish your mind and body.

Sleep: Living with a mental health problem can affect how well you sleep, and poor sleep can have a negative impact on your mental health, so prioritising sleep can help both with maintaining your wellbeing and your recovery.

Being outdoors: There is strong evidence to suggest that the combined mix of colors, sounds and smells we find outdoors act together to stimulate our senses, which helps increase our overall wellbeing. This means that gardening and other outdoor hobbies often provide a brilliant alternative to traditional sports and exercise.

Exercise: Structured physical activity can play a key role in someone’s recovery from a mental health problem and in staying well for years to come.