STRESS

SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

The pressures of modern day life can cause even the strongest of us to ‘burn out’ and it is important to recognise when acceptable amounts of stress are causing you to experience physical and emotional exhaustion. Highly pressurised work environments are a common cause of stress with ‘executive stress’ in particular, being recognised as a serious mental health issue that could lead to a breakdown or burnout, which can be devastating for both a career and family life.

At Priory, we understand that stress is not always easy to overcome and the most important thing to do is seek help. We can help you to look at your life, work load and responsibilities and set manageable goals. Spotting the early signs of stress and doing something about it is important to prevent things from becoming worse and to prevent unhealthy coping habits from developing.

The effects of stress can vary greatly between individuals but Priory is well-placed to support and treat any symptoms that you may be experiencing.

What are the symptoms of stress

Signs and symptoms of stress and burnout can include:

• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Low mood
• Loss of drive and energy
• Susceptibility to infections and high sickness rate
• Low productivity

Treatment for stress

The treatment that Priory recommends includes:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness
• One-to-one interaction with a trained psychiatrist
  CBT allows you to develop a greater awareness and understanding of dysfunctional thought patterns, which can lead to your negative emotions. CBT has shown to be more effective in treating stress than medication and is also a time efficient treatment, which makes it easier to plan into your day-to-day life.