Stress

Stress is the way you feel when under pressure to do something.  A little bit of pressure can be productive, give you motivation, and help you perform better at something - but too much or prolonged pressure can be unhealthy and lead to physical, mental and emotional problems.

Everyone reacts differently to stress, and some people may have a higher threshold than others. In the UK, anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems, and the majority of cases are caused by stress.

When faced with a situation that makes you stressed, your body releases chemicals, including cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which invoke the 'fight or flight' feelings that help us deal with the situation. But in a situation where fighting or escaping is impossible, such as being on an overcrowded train, these chemicals are not used and can increase blood pressure, heart rate and sweating as well as releasing fat and sugar into the bloodstream and preventing the immune system functioning properly.

This text gives an overview into the conditions an IAPT service will treat.  It has been prepared here for you to use as you see fit in your locally produced materials.

All material has been taken from NHS Choices and is therefore nationally approved at the time of this toolkit’s publication.  More in depth and up to date information can be found online at NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

The Information Prescription Service available on NHS Choices is an excellent service covering the many different aspects of depression and anxiety disorders.

NHS Choices online: www.nhs.uk