Most therapist Orange County offices will start the process of stress management by finding the origin of the problem, through the use of simple interviews and consultations. In some cases, such as marital difficulties, the patient may be referred to a marriage counseling Orange County expert, but the majority of patients will be able to benefit from direct cognitive therapy that addresses how the person responds to problematic situations. By understanding a patient’s usual coping behaviors and which individual situations cause high levels of stress, a professional therapist will be able to improve the person’s response to these situations and provide advice about how to reduce or manage stressful events.

In addition to cognitive therapy by a trained professional, there are also ways that a person can change their own behavior as part of a stress management plan. The old adage that you are what you eat is certainly true and one change that can make a major difference is addressing a poor diet. Cutting out high fat content foods as well as lowering refined sugar will help change the highs and lows of a rapidly changing blood sugar level. In addition, setting aside time for exercise and relaxation will help to balance the patient’s life and better prepare them for stressful situations that may lie ahead.

Depressive disorders are often not easy to recognize or classify and a person that has one or more of the conditions that are grouped under the umbrella term of depression may live for several years without knowing that they should look through therapist Orange County listings to find a trained care provider. Because depressive disorders frequently go undetected for years, the failure to get help early can result in a long and arduous recovery from the condition. Specific forms of depression, such as Major Depressive Disorder, could put a person at a high risk of suicide or lower their internal motivation to a point where they are no longer able to live a productive life.

The good side of depression and depressive disorders is that they are treatable. Much study has been done about the best treatment plans and a professional Huntington Beach Therapist will be able to complete a thorough diagnosis of the condition and advise many options to a person struggling with depression. An accurate diagnosis is the key to getting the right treatment for depression. A person that is depressed due to relationship problems may be referred to a marriage counseling Orange County specialist. In the same vein, a woman who is dealing with postpartum depression will need to see a therapist that has experience dealing with this specific disorder. With many qualified professionals in the area, a person living with depression should be able to find relief.

Some situations that are common stressors for many people include financial uncertainty, troublesome relationships and health concerns.  Herbert Benson, M.D. has researched and published a list of stressors (such as marriage, divorce, deaths in the family), and given them scores, the higher the more likely they are to be troublesome. You can find many references to this scale by using Major Life Event Stress Scale in a search engine to evaluate your stressors and how serious they are to your health. I will continue to write about common ways to manage these kinds of situations.

But many stressed people either don’t know what exactly stresses them or, on the other hand, almost everything seems stressful.  Per Anxiety Association of America’s  email to me:

“This holiday season is particularly challenging. Whether you’re worried about your job, college tuition, retirement savings, or buying gifts, few of us have been unscathed by our turbulent economy. Even so, most of you recognize that your anxiety is normal and you’re able to carry on with daily activities.

But for some people, anxiety isn’t just a consequence of distressing news. It is persistent, severe, unprovoked, and irrational, and it makes even the most mundane tasks — driving kids to school, standing in line at the store, meeting a friend for lunch seem overwhelming, if not impossible."

Are you feeling stressed? Take advantage of my offer for a free ½ hour telephone consultation NOW to greatly reduce anxiety by learning scientifically proven methods that will help you with your unique problems. You can learn more about my approach to stress management at my personal website found here. What have you got to lose except your stress?

References: Stress Management: Approaches for preventing and reducing stress. A Harvard Medical School Special Health Report.