SPECIALTY AREA OF PRACTICE
Chronic Stress
Many of us have experienced acute stress—the significant physiological and psychological reaction to a specific event. Most of the time, we are able to recover from acute stress with support from loved ones and time. However, when stress persists over a longer period of time and when stresses compound on one another, stress becomes associated with increased risk of cognitive, emotional physical and behavioral changes.
Chronic stress has a variety of origins, some of which are the strain of being the primary caregiver to a loved one with a chronic or terminal illness, navigating complex health issues or facing persistent work or family pressure. And while our culture continues to value women who appear to successfully face and navigate challenges without any appearance of fatigue, vulnerability or loss of hope, privately, many women suffer with the effects of chronic stress—insomnia, low energy, emotional withdrawal and increased alcohol or drug use.
Some areas in my practice related to chronic stress:
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Caregiving to a loved one
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Chronic and/or Terminal illness
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Work-related pressure, lack of satisfaction
While there’s no mental health diagnosis for “chronic stress,” the effects of it can be felt in anxiety, traumatic stress and depression. Understanding the unique impact of chronic stress and exploring treatment options can be a powerful tool for beginning to unravel stress and develop new tools for facing challenges and releasing painful burdens.