Stress is a very insidious condition and can disrupt every sector of your life. Symptoms of stress may present as physical ailments, driving you to seek help for your symptoms rather than the cause of the stress. A busy lifestyle may even mask the true causes of stress, causing you to attribute your symptoms to a temporary situation or allowing you to ignore your mental health altogether. The reality is that stress is incredibly complex and may be hard to navigate on your own. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stress in your life, you may find that seeking the help of a mental health therapist in Towson, MD may help you better navigate all of life's intricacies.
What is stress?
There are two types of stress - good stress which is called eustress and negative stress which is called distress. Eustress is positive and examples include going out for a big promotion, completing a challenging workout, or working on an intricate but rewarding puzzle. Eustress helps us because it drives productive behavior and is most often a short-term form of stress. It may even feel exciting when you're in the midst of eustress. Distress is the opposite of eustress in that it is often long-term and causes a great deal of anxiety and concern. Examples of distress include the loss of a job, a serious injury, and the loss of a loved one through death or divorce. A certain level of stress is normal in our lives but learning how to maintain healthy stress responses is vital to both our mental and physical health.
The Signs & Symptoms of Stress - When to Seek a Mental Health Therapist
In general, causes of distress can be broken down into personal stressors, professional stressors, and internal stressors. Personal stressors include unemployment, hospitalizations, abuse or neglect, injury or illness, and interpersonal relationship issues. Professional stressors are the result of job-related stresses caused by issues such as excessive job demands, conflicts with your colleagues, and job insecurity. Internal stressors are caused by fears and phobias or habitual and destructive behavior patterns such as over-scheduling or procrastination that cause distress in our day-to-day lives.
Long-term exposure to stress can lead to constant states of irritability, anger, and apathy. Mental distress in the form of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse may also appear alongside physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and muscle pains, and more serious health problems.
What is Stress Management Therapy?
Stress Management Therapy teaches people to identify and change negative thought patterns. Stress Management Therapy arms you with the appropriate tools to navigate all of the stressors in your life. Speaking to a mental health therapist in Towson, MD, and beyond will help you gain insights into your own behavior and responses to stimuli. Awareness of responses leads to modifications of thought patterns and other positive changes.
For folks who frequently feel overwhelmed, it's easy to believe the solution will be found in avoiding stressful situations altogether. At B'well, as much as we can empathize with the desire to eliminate life’s stressors entirely, we know that our effort and energy is much better invested in learning how to healthfully respond to the stress that does show up. Contact B'well Counseling to learn more about stress management therapy and how to live your life in a healthy and productive way that you have always envisioned for yourself.
About B'well | Mental Health Therapist in Towson, MD
B'well Counseling Services is a mental health therapy practice offering a full range of therapeutic services including behavioral therapy in Towson, MD and the Greater Baltimore area. We believe in helping people rekindle their curiosity and reconnect to their core selves so that they can truly be well. We value wellness and connection over happiness because we understand that being able to experience the full range of human emotions and experiences is what helps us heal and grow. At B'well, we are dedicated to creating a space for anyone who has ever felt unwelcome because of their identity, orientation, or expression.
B'well Counseling Services offers Telehealth Therapy Services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.