Chapter 8: Stress and Anxiety
Overview:
- Causes and symptoms of stress and anxiety
- Relationship between stress and anxiety
- Agitation or frustration
- Methods for dealing with anxious people
- Things to avoid doing when dealing with nervous people
Description:
Stress, anxiety and agitation are closely related, but they are not the same thing. Stress is often discussed as if it were a disease to be avoided at all costs. However, some degree of ‘stress’ is inevitable in life. This chapter discusses stress, anxiety, and agitation, and explores some of the ways in which helpers can provide appropriate caring assistance to those who are suffering as a result of stressful situations.
Topics:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Relationship between stress and anxiety
- Agitation
- Strategies and techniques
- Things not to do
Speaker / Author:
Hugh Irons
Hugh Irons is a registered nurse who holds a master’s degree in community health nursing and qualifications in workplace assessment and training. Hugh works full-time in community-based mental health care with Ballarat Health Services - Psychiatric Services (Victoria, Australia). He has nearly 20 years of experience in this field, and also has substantial experience in teaching and coordinating undergraduate nursing students at the University of Ballarat, where he is a teaching fellow. Hugh is also a qualified relaxation massage therapist. He is a member of both the Royal College of Nursing, Australia and the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nursing, and is an associate member of the Australian Counselling Association. Hugh also runs his own consultancy in workplace and community mental-health behavioural training. In this role, Hugh conducts seminars, runs workplace in-service sessions, and facilitates conferences on a multitude of related topics.
Hugh’s motivation for writing this book springs from his conviction that all caring persons, with or without formal training, can have a significant therapeutic impact on the mental health and well-being of people who find themselves in distressing circumstances. Hugh relaxes with his wife of 35 years, Patricia, and is interested in reading, walking, and travelling. When travelling, Hugh makes a point of visiting mental-health services in any country that he visits -gathering and disseminating ideas of mutual benefit.
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