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Stress
Watch Scotland
Caithness Branch
STRESSWATCH SCOTLAND
The Caithness Branch of
Stresswatch Scotland is to be found at -
Thurso Youth Club
Monday 10.00am - 12noon
Group Leader Mrs H Maughan Tel 01847
811315
National Helpline 01563 574144 - Open 5 days a week.
Stresswatch Scotland Office
Tel 01563 570886
- AIMS
Stresswatch Scotland is a voluntary charitable organisation dating
back to the mid 1970's. Its principal aims are -
- to provide support, information and advice to those who suffer
from stress, anxiety, phobias and panic
attacks
- to guide, encourage and assist volunteers to set up local
self-help groups in Scotland
- to promote a better understanding and to encourage further
research into phobias, anxiety and panic.
WHO SUFFERS
More than 1 in 10 of the population -men, women and children -will
suffer from the disabling conditions associated with
anxiety/phobias/panics at some point in their lifetime. Anyone
can be affected.
WHAT IS A PHOBIA
A phobia is a learned fear. Anyone can become a victim to such
a fear, usually because of life experiences, especially stress.
The most common phobia is AGORAPHOBIA, a crippling fear of leaving
the home or being in crowded places. however, it is possible
to become phobic about almost anything.
WHAT IS PANIC ATTACK
Those people who suffer from panic or phobias may experience a
bewildering variety of very unpleasant symptoms, such as:-
palpitations, faintness, sweating, a loss of balance, churning
stomach, muddled thinking, and a general and overpowering sense of
need to escape from the stimulus or situation causing these
reactions. This is a "panic attack". They will
do no harm. They are one of the body's automatic reactions.
NOT A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS
Despite these very distressing symptoms which can completely disable
the sufferers life this is NOT A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS. It is
better thought of as a problem relating to our behaviour and/or the
way we think.
WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE
The Clinical psychologists are trained to help with such problems
and the doctor should be able to arrange this for sufferers but
there may well be a lengthy waiting list. a self-help
programme, probably very similar to that which a sufferer will be
given when they are treated by a professional, is available through
Stresswatch Scotland. We must emphasise, however, that this is
not intended to act as a substitute for professional help, but rather
to complement it
STRESSWATCH SCOTLAND
SELF-HELP PROGRAMME
The Stresswatch Scotland programme includes information about
anxiety, how to deal with panic attacks, and a gradual step by step
approach to tackling feared situations. It comes in the form
of a relaxation cassette and a detailed booklet and is intended for
use entirely at home or with regular back-up visits to a Stresswatch
Scotland group where the individual's progress is monitored and
aided.
There are a lot of up to date methods included in the programme, but
it is not a miracle cure. For some it takes longer than
others, and it demands hard work and resolve. However,
by attending a Stresswatch Scotland self-help group the individual
will find support, motivation and valuable advice from others.
Many sufferers have found the end result reward in itself, as they
find new freedom by gradually, slowly and surely overcoming their
fears.
RESOURCES
A range of reasonably priced cassettes, booklets and leaflets is
available by post, including the full self-help programme.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information contact -
Stresswatch Scotland
23 Campbell Street
Kilmarnock
KA1 4HL
Please enclose two first class stamps for return postage and request
address of nearest self-help group and a list of publications.
MEMBERSHIP
You can now apply for membership Stresswatch Scotland. The
cost is just £5 for a one year subscription. This offer
includes 4 copies of our quarterly magazine Serenity.
In addition, we give you a 10% discount on books and audio tapes you
purchase as well as a reduced cost for attending our Annual workshop
Just send a cheque or postal order for £5 to - Stresswatch Scotland
Stresswatch Scotland
23 Campbell Street
Kilmarnock
KA1 4HL
- Please allow 21 days for your membership to be processed.
SUPPORT
The initiative is supported by Social Work Services of The Scottish
Office.
- Links
-
www.stresswatchscotland.org
STRESS UK - For those interested in personal and occupational stress
management.
http://www.stress.org.uk/
THE TRAUMATIC STRESS CLINIC
http://www.traumatic-stress.com/TSC.htm
THE TRAUMATIC STRESS LINKS HOMEPAGE
http://www.traumatic-stress.com/
PATIENT INFORMATION PUBLICATIONS
http://www.patient.org.uk/mental.htm
DEPRESSION ALLIANCE
http://www.depressionalliance.org/
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ON THE INTERNET - Support groups on the Internet
for personal issues.
http://www.compulink.co.uk/~net-services/care/
AMERICAN SELF-HELP CLEARING HOUSE - Self-help groups in America.
http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/
OTHER HEALTH LINKS ON
CAITHNESS COMMUNITY WEBSITE
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