Stress Management Options: Professional Medical Treatment and Therapy
Seeking professional medical treatment of therapy may be necessary for an individual in coping with stress. Stress management techniques that are developed by an individual maynot always be effective in allowing an individual to cope with the daily pressures of life. Ifstress comes to a point where the individual can no longer cope or if the individual is seekingalternative ways to manage their stress then professional medical treatment is available.Seeking medical treatment may also assist in identifying other underlying causes behind stressthat may not be apparent to the individual. Medical treatment does not necessarily meantreatment with drugs and there are many alternative therapies that are available.
According the Health Centre (2006), there are a variety of treatment options available to cope with and manage stress. Not all treatment options will work for everyone and it isimportant to be able to determine with your medical professional which option will work bestfor you and your individual situation.
Provided below is a summary of the medical treatment and therapy options identified by The Health Centre (2006) in managing and coping with stress. Many of these options can also help an individual to develop their own stress management techniques in the ongoingmanagement of their stress.
Non-prescription Alternatives for Stress Management
There are many non-prescription alternatives on the market today. Some of these alternatives contain supplemental vitamins and minerals, while others contain herbalalternatives that have been used to naturally medicate stress. Herbal alternatives likeSt. Johns Wort, Kava Kava, 5-HTP, Valerian and SAM-e have all been show to relievestress and some forms of symptomatic anxiety in clinical trials.
Behavioural Therapy
Behavioural therapy helps you weaken the connections between troublesome situations and your habitual reactions to them. Reactions common to stress such as irritability,anxiety, depression, anger, and self-damaging behaviour can be controlled. Behaviouraltherapy teaches you how to calm your mind and body, so you can feel better, thinkmore clearly, and make better decisions.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy teaches you how certain thinking patterns are causing your symptoms— by giving you a distorted picture of what's going on in your life, and making you feelanxious, depressed or angry for no apparent reason, or provoking you into negativeactions. Resolving the cognitive aspect of stress can mean less worrying, lessunpleasant thoughts, and a positive outlook on life.
Literary Therapy
Literary therapy incorporates books, articles, and other research materials into the process of healing. By gathering information about stress, one can acquire in-depthknowledge about his or her problems. This knowledge provides the essential tools forcontrolling and resolving ones issues. There is an extensive amount of informationavailable from a wide range of perspectives.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy involves the idea of healing through communication. Talking to friends, family members, or a therapist can help one to find support for those dealing withstress. Communication comes naturally to humans, and the simple act of discussingone’s problems can be extremely helpful in the healing process.
Talking to Your Doctor about Stress
Communicating with your doctor is an important part in the diagnosis and treatment ofstress. By talking to your doctor openly, you allow him or her to provide you with thebest stress treatment possible.
Medication
Medication or drug therapy is also a stress management option that can be discussed withyour Doctor. This form of stress treatment is generally only considered in extreme situations where the individual can not cope with stress and does not respond to any other form oftreatment.
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