Stress

What is Stress?

Stress refers to the physical and emotional reactions that an individual has, due to existing demands, changes in their environment, and new challenges. Stress can be felt as physical or emotional tension. While stress is a completely normal phenomenon (it can actually be helpful in dangerous situations, or motivate us to rise to various occasions), high levels of stress, or chronic stress, can take a toll on one’s physical and emotional well-being.

What Types of Stress can Someone Experience?

• Acute Stress: A short-lived reaction to a new stressor. Realizing that you are late for a reservation, waiting for a test result, or having a work deadline, are examples of acute stress.
• Episodic Acute Stress: Frequent episodes of acute stress, where one does not have an adequate period of time to completely unwind, or recover from each episode. Police officers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and students in challenging or abbreviated professional programs, may experience episodic acute stress.
• Chronic Stress: Long-term stress that an individual experiences, which may lead to chronic medical or psychological difficulties. Examples include marriage difficulties, long-term financial troubles, or being the caregiver of a loved one with a chronic medical illness.

How Common is Stress?

Everyone experiences stress. However, if an individual is under episodic acute stress, chronic stress, or begins to show any of the physical, emotional or behavioral symptoms below, we recommend that they meet with a mental health professional for stress management.

How Can Chronic Stress Affect Someone Physically

• Elevated Blood Pressure
• Increased Heart Rate and Palpitations
• Feelings of shortness of breath
• Increased Risk of Stroke
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome & GI Upset
• Ulcers
• Unhealthy Weight Gain or Weight Loss
• Decreased Libido
• Decreased Fertility
• Chronic Headaches
• Increased Risk of Immune Disorders
• Chronic Pain and Muscular Tension
• Feelings of Physical Exhaustion
• Others

*If someone is experiencing physical manifestations of stress (such as a racing heart, increased headaches, or shortness of breath) it is incredibly important that they also discuss with their primary care provider, or seek immediate medical attention, particularly if symptoms are new or worsening. Serious medical conditions can be mistaken for stress, and vice versa.

What Symptoms May Indicate that I should Get Help for Stress?

In addition to some of the physical manifestations of stress above, individuals should seek a psychiatric evaluation for discussion of stress management, if they experience any of the following:

• Feeling overwhelmed by their level of stress
• Difficulty enjoying things that they usually enjoy, or being present in the moment, secondary to stress
• Avoiding obligations, or inability to complete them
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Symptoms interfering with academic or occupational life
• Symptoms interfering with social life or relationships
• Increased irritability or anger
• Crying episodes
• Stress affecting sleep, energy, focus or appetite
• Utilizing poor coping mechanisms to try to deal with stress, such as alcohol or substance use, gambling, self-harm, or acting out.
• Suicidal thoughts
  • If an individual has suicidal thoughts, call 911 or 988. Do not wait for a psychiatric appointment to get help.

What Types of Treatment are Available for Acute and Chronic Stress?

Treatment for Acute and Chronic Stress should be tailored to the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment in psychiatry. Your Stress Management plan may include:

• Psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to change dysfunctional thoughts and feelings, that may be increasing the amount of emotional distress that you experience from your stressors.
• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Techniques (MBSR), Relaxation Techniques, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma.
• Behavioral Modification, such as exercise recommendations, sleep hygiene, changes in diet, recommendations for limiting alcohol and caffeine, accountability for engaging in healthy social engagements and others.
• Medication Management for moderate to severe symptoms of stress and anxiety. Medications utilized may include anti-depressants (which are first line medications for anxiety), as needed medications that calm the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system (such as Beta Blockers) or others.

Do You Offer Both In-office and Virtual Online Psychiatric Appointments for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Stress?

Yes, we offer both in-office and virtual online psychiatric appointments for the treatment of Stress.

Why Choose Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for Stress Management?

The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are academically oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at academic institutions. Our providers are Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and we have several licensed and doctoral level therapists and psychologists. We are experienced in working with individuals who struggle with various psychiatric conditions, including Acute and Chronic Stress.

• Licensed Therapists and Doctoral Level Psychologists
• Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Academically Oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at local Academic Institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital & The University of Pennsylvania.
• Appointments generally available within 2 weeks.
• In-office and online Virtual Appointments for the treatment of Stress & Stress Management.
• Providers experienced in treating co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
• Providers who are welcoming to all individuals.