Stress and Crisis

Stress and crises are not confined to the home. There are special stresses in the workplace. Many companies and government agencies are downsizing or contemplating reducing their workforce. People are often working longer hours and feeling less satisfaction from their jobs. Crises can result in exciting positive changes if you have the skills to manage. Working with a trained professional, on a time-limited basis, during a difficult period can make all the difference to you and your family.

Here are some questions that may indicate that you need to seek assistance from a psychologist during a stressful time:

• Do you often feel irritable and find that everything gets on your nerves?
• Do you snap at people?
• Do you have problems concentrating or making decisions?
• Do you feel “keyed up” or on edge?
• Does your mind go blank?
• Do you clench your jaws, grind your teeth or find your muscles are tense?
• Are you having problems with digestion that are not easily diagnosed?
• Do you wake up suddenly and/or have difficulty going to sleep?
• Do you no longer laugh at things others find funny?
• Do you feel burned out?
• Do you feel that you continue to think about or re-experience a crisis or traumatic event even after it is over?
• Are your emotions “deadened” or numb?

You can have emotional reactions to a crisis after the crisis is over. The more frightening and threatening a crisis is, the more likely you may experience emotional after-effects from that crisis. Seeking prompt treatment from a psychologist can help you recover more quickly from a trauma or a difficult time in your life.