Neurobehavioral Medicine Consultants
Stress Management

Stress Management

Stressors come in many forms. Each person has different triggers for stress response. The stress response changes the body in ways that help the individual adapt to chronic stress. While the long-term stress response system is protective, it comes at a cost; over time these changes can lead to physical deterioration and greater susceptibility to other diseases. Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but not everyone experiences stressors of duration sufficient to trigger the long-term stress response.

Dealing with stressors as they occur prevents the accumulation of chronic problems and stress reactions that can trigger the long-term stress response. It is likely, as well, that management of stress can help reverse body alterations caused by the long-term stress response. If an individual's coping skills are adequate to deal with his or her stress levels then that person is likely to be less susceptible to other illness.

Stress management training can produce significant improvements in measures of subjective well-being and physical symptoms. Dr. Yerzley employs a cognitive behavioral approach to stress management, helping patients identify the physical, behavioral, emotional and cognitive symptoms of their stress. Teaching patients how to react realistically and positively to their stresses helps them manage their stresses more effectively.

Dr. Yerzley's approaches to giving patients stress management skills include neurofeedback, deep breathing, tracking stressors (learning what stressors in a patient's life lead to increased symptoms) and behavioral modification.

To get an idea of the level of stress in your life, take the Stress Profile.