Stress Management

What is it
Stress management consists of assessment of an individual's levels of mental stress and its treatment by various techniques. A well-trained clinical psychologist conducts the stress management programme of Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi. She helps people to develop adequate coping strategies to deal with their stress levels.

Why is it done?
Stress is an important risk factor for major health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure. It also aggravates other problems like bronchial asthma, migraine, backache, indigestion, and peptic ulcer. High stress levels also lead to social, emotional, and occupational malfunctioning. Therefore, it is important to control the stress levels of an individual.

When does one need it?
Any person living in today's modern fast paced life may need evaluation for his levels of stress and guidance to reduce his stress. In particular, stress management may be required if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Frequent changes of mood
  
• Habitual anger
  
• Hostility
  
• Impatience
  
• General irritability
  
• Unexplained fatigue
  
• Sleeplessness
  
• Forgetfulness
  
• Inability to complete tasks at hand
  
• Anxiety
  
• Depression
  

How is it done?
Dr. Bhavna Barmi, a clinical psychologist, runs the stress management clinic of Escorts Heart Institute.
She:

(a) Assesses the individual for levels of stress.
(b) Ascertains the cause(s) for his stress levels.
(c) Provides therapeutic measures and individual counseling for the problems.
(d)Refers individual for stress management workshop, which is conducted on specific dates and times at the Learning Centre,      Rehabilitation Centre Building of Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre.


How to avail it?
Stress management has three steps:
(a) Stress Screening An objective assessment of a person's stress levels through standardized questionnaires, rating scales;       semi-structured interviews and subjective reports by the person.
(b) Stress Management Workshop A group workshop that enables a person to learn effective coping strategies; relaxation      techniques; antistress breathing exercises; and meditation et cetera to facilitate reduction in stress levels.
(c) Individual Counseling A one-to-one interaction with the psychologist in order to discuss the remedies for personal and psychological problems that increase the levels of stress.


Before
An unbiased open mind frame is required. Confidentiality is assured.


After
The person is psycho-educated about his stress levels and is encouraged/motivated to use improved coping strategies to deal with his stress. A regular follow up is planned to sustain his improved stress levels and to ensure that he continues with the stress management strategies that he has learnt.