Stress Rehab
How our therapy can help your recovery
We all say we’re stressed sometimes, so getting help for chronic stress problem – or the chronic stress of a friend or family member – can seem like a big step. But it doesn’t have to be a frightening prospect.
Our highly-qualified team have years of experience of providing effective therapeutic support to people with a history of stress and its often-destructive consequences.
We’ve compiled this guide to help you understand how and why stress affects people, and to show how Parkland Place provides tailored support and stress rehabilitation for people experiencing stress-related issues.
What is stress?
Stress is a reaction to difficult circumstances which causes physical changes in the body designed to help you take on threats or difficulties. When you are stressed, you may notice that your heart pounds, your breathing quickens, your muscles tense, and you start to sweat. This is sometimes known as the ‘fight or flight’ response.
Once the threat or difficulty passes, these physical effects usually fade. But if you’re constantly stressed, your body stays in this state of high alert and you may develop stress-related symptoms.
Am I stressed?
How you may feel
- overwhelmed
- irritable and ‘wound up’
- anxious or fearful
- lacking in self-esteem
You may experience
- racing thoughts
- constant worrying
- difficulty concentrating
- difficulty making decisions
Physical symptoms may include
- headaches
- muscle tension or pain
- dizziness
- sleep problems
- feeling tired all the time
- eating too much or too little
How you may react
- drinking or smoking more
- snapping at people
- avoiding things or people you are having problems with
What causes stress?
Stress is often caused by big life changes, even happy events like having a baby or planning a wedding. Stress is frequently associated with feeling like you aren’t in control of events in your life – for example, if you lose your job or experience relationship breakdown.
Stress can be related to work, family, housing or personal issues.
It might be easier said than done, but facing up to stressful situations and taking steps to deal with them is often much better than avoiding problems.
Where it’s not possible to change a stressful situation, it may better to accept this fact and refocus your energies elsewhere.
Risks of stress
Many short-term and long-term health problems have been linked to ongoing and chronic stress, some of which include
- mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and personality disorders
- cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks and stroke
- obesity and other eating disorders
- skin and hair problems like psoriasis, eczema, acne and hair loss
- substance misuse conditions, where people turn to alcohol or drugs to relieve stress
Getting help for stress
Effective treatment can help people who are experience chronic stress combat the problem and regain control of their lives.
You can’t always prevent stress, but there are lots of things you can do to manage stress better. Time-management techniques, breathing exercises, mindfulness and relaxation can all be effective therapies.
You should also consider sharing your problems with family and friends, making time for activities and interests, taking regular exercise and making sure you’re getting enough sleep.
If you’re concerned about your stress or that of a friend or family member, a good first step is to visit your GP. They will be able to discuss the services and treatments available.
Rehab for stress
Dedicated counselling and therapy can help you overcome the circumstances which may have caused you to develop chronic stress. This may include self-help groups and talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
You may be offered medication to help with related symptoms, such as a sleep problem, or dedicated support around the misuse of drugs or alcohol.
Therapeutic programmes like the approach favoured by Parkland Place have proven to be effective in the treatment of stress.
Together, we will address both your condition and any associated underlying social and psychological issues. We will work with you to address all aspects of your life, and to help you to develop a personal toolbox of techniques and resources.
Your treatment at Parkland Place
Parkland Place offers unrivalled therapy for people with experience of alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction and other harmful behavioural conditions – in the comfort of a stunning, 16-bed mansion and gardens near the coast in beautiful North Wales. The house is situated amidst farmland owned by the National Trust, and offers a welcoming and comfortable haven for your journey of recovery.
Our therapeutic programme is tailored to the needs of each of our guests, and is delivered by friendly, expert staff. This truly bespoke approach allows us to address the social and psychological needs underpinning your addiction, and support you as you make key lifestyle changes.
Guests at Parkland Place are required to be, and to remain, abstinent during their stay with us. Many of our guests require structured medical detoxification before beginning their recovery journey. We offer no-fuss access to our own dedicated detox clinic at Salus Withnell Hall – including transfers – to ensure a seamless therapeutic experience.
> Learn more about our approach