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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Severe Stress Be Treated?

I am wondering if a psychiatrist can help at all with my problem. I had a great high paying job with a great company for 32 years. But for the last year and a half I was in a position where I was extremely stressed. It got worse and I felt like I couldn't even do the job I was so stressed. I got to the point that I convinced myself that I wanted to retire in order to get out of this job because I was so stressed. I could financially do it, so I retired a month ago, but have been a mental mess ever since. I realize now that I did not want to retire, I only did to get out of a job I hated. I am only 55 and cannot believe I retired. I feel my life is over. I can’t think of anything else but what happened, and I spend each day doing nothing but mulling it over in my mind. I have lost all desire to do anything I used to like to do. I am not depressed. I just can’t believe what happened. I can’t even think straight anymore to make simple decisions, and am no longer functioning in a normal life. I have lost all confidence in myself, and feel hopeless. I went to my GP and he put me on Mirtazapine for 'anxiety'. It is not doing a thing. I don't think medication is going to help, because I don't have depression. I have also talked to a counselor several times, and he says I just have a hard time coping with major life changes, and I will adjust. A friend of mine is telling me I need to see a psychiatrist. Will a psychiatrist to anything more that what my GP and counselor have done?
Thu, 29 Mar 2018
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Psychologist,  's  Response
Hello,

With today's lifestyle, it is almost impossible to avoid stress. Each person experiences stress in a different way and can tolerate different levels of stress. For some work is a source of stress while for others it could be strained relationships or financial trouble. Stress is simply a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our physical or mental equilibrium. In other words, it's an omnipresent part of life. A stressful event can trigger the “fight-or-flight” response, causing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to surge through the body. A little bit of stress, known as “acute stress,” can be exciting—it keeps us active and alert. But long-term, or “chronic stress,” can have detrimental effects on health. There is nothing to worry much about stress because stress is part of your body's defense mechanism. Stress is essential too. You may not be able to control the stressors in your world, but you can alter your reaction to them. I need to know, what are the causes with which you are stressed? Once you know the reason, you will be able to adjust with it with some tips and tricks.



Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. K. V. Anand
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How Can Severe Stress Be Treated?

Hello, With today s lifestyle, it is almost impossible to avoid stress. Each person experiences stress in a different way and can tolerate different levels of stress. For some work is a source of stress while for others it could be strained relationships or financial trouble. Stress is simply a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our physical or mental equilibrium. In other words, it s an omnipresent part of life. A stressful event can trigger the “fight-or-flight” response, causing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to surge through the body. A little bit of stress, known as “acute stress,” can be exciting—it keeps us active and alert. But long-term, or “chronic stress,” can have detrimental effects on health. There is nothing to worry much about stress because stress is part of your body s defense mechanism. Stress is essential too. You may not be able to control the stressors in your world, but you can alter your reaction to them. I need to know, what are the causes with which you are stressed? Once you know the reason, you will be able to adjust with it with some tips and tricks. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. K. V. Anand