Stress Treatment

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

Stress affects everyone differently. That means that the best way for you to deal with it personally will be different to how someone else might overcome it. Our doctors can help.

Firstly, they will identify the cause of your stress by discussing your symptoms and any triggers with you. Then they can recommend a treatment that fits your personal circumstances.

Some people find that just talking to someone about their issues helps get rid of stress - whether that is to a friend, doctor or a specialist. For others, a course of medication is the most effective form of stress relief. If your symptoms are severe, our doctors might even suggest a combination of both.

It’s very important that you get treatment if stress is impacting on your quality of life. Left untreated, it can lead to further health issues, from problems with your physical health to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Let’s take a closer look at how to deal with stress.

Talking about how you’re feeling can often help relieve your symptoms.

Our doctors can refer you to a mental health specialist who will guide you through a course of talking therapy.

One of the most popular forms of talking therapy is known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This involves regular sessions with a specialist, who will help you learn how to effectively manage stress and change the way you respond to triggers.

They won’t tell you what to do. The aim of the session is to help you find a way to control your ‘fight or flight’ response and develop a long term strategy that will stop stress taking over your life.

Your doctor may decide that medication is the best approach is to treat your symptoms. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important that you’re honest with them about how you’re feeling, as it will determine which medication is most suitable for you.

Depending on your symptoms, you may be prescribed antidepressants, beta-blockers (to lower blood pressure) or medicine to manage digestive issues.

Before you’re prescribed anything, the doctor will make sure that you fully understand what the medicine is for, how long you will need to take it and any possible side effects that may occur.

You must take any medication exactly as instructed by the doctor. This is includes stopping your medication, as this may need to be done gradually to prevent your symptoms from returning.

If you notice side effects, you should book a follow-up appointment as soon as possible, so that our doctors can assess whether you should be on a different medication.

In addition to treatment, our doctors can talk to you about stress-busting techniques you can use to manage or reduce your symptoms day-to-day.

As part of your diagnosis, you will have looked at the causes of your stress with the doctor. Now that you have a better idea about this, it will be easier to address them.

For example, you can look at ways to improve your work life balance, or find more relaxing hobbies to pursue in your spare time to help you switch off.

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

How treatment can help stress

Talking therapy

Medication for stress

Taking your medication

Self-help

Articles on Stress