Dr Johnston says, “We know that increased stress lowers people’s resources to cope. Their immune system is affected, which makes them feel more run down, possibly more ill. Stress can use symptoms that may be confused with illness symptoms, such as lack of sleep or over tiredness, loss of energy, irritability, loss of appetite or overeating, and low motivation to exercise or engage in previously enjoyed activities. These are classic signs of stress symptoms act like a big interlocking grid that may be confused with illness symptoms or may interact to worsen illness symptoms, therefore increasing suffering.

“Psychology helps to look at these symptoms, unpick them, and address them by providing coping ideas and resources that enable the person to handle something that they weren’t asking for.

“Usually with a short term condition, the expectation is that a person will get better, and they can see an end point. Psychologically, it makes a difference if one feels, ‘I just need to get through the next few months’.  It can be more difficult when things develop to become chronic, such as when a diagnosis has a questionable ending, there isn’t a quick treatment, or if a diagnosis hasn’t been found to match the symptoms. These circumstances make the experience much more unsettling.

“When you don’t know how long you’re going to have to function in a sub-par manner, there will be an emotional reaction. Some may feel that they just aren’t themselves, that they don’t have the spirit or the energy to do the same things they used to do. When they begin avoiding enjoyed activities or social events, they are cutting out activities that bring joy and stress-relief. This may be one piece of the recipe for prolonged suffering.

“The role of the Clinical Psychologist is to intervene at this point, before the cycle worsens and leads to severe anxiety and depression.”

Dr Johnston says, “there is a continued stigma around the concept of mental illness. It is something many people are fearful of – that they’re going to be labelled as having a mental disorder, which has many negative connotations with some members of the public. Patients sometimes say to me, ‘If I see you, what will people think?  Will it go on my record and affect my job? Are you or everyone else going to think I’m crazy?’

“People don’t realise how prevalent mental health concerns really are. Statistics show that one in four people have struggled at some point in their lives with diagnosable symptoms. In general, most people can empathise with challenging times, having struggled with grief or bereavement, coping with negative changes to life circumstances, being over ridden by worries, or having suffered with overwhelming low mood.

“When it happens, being able to speak to someone who’s trained with a whole array of techniques empowers the person to be able to feel like they can cope better with what they’re experiencing. It first can normalise their experiences and reassure them that these struggles are OK and workable.  To get a personalised view of what’s going on and which techniques may be most effective to enhance coping, going to a psychologist changes from being a threatening one to a preventative measure that ensures wellness rather than illness. The goal is to create a healthy mind in addition to a healthy body.

After you meet your Clinical Psychologist, the first step is to chat through what your interpretation of psychological support is. You may be asked questions like:

• What brings you here today?
• What goals do you have?
• Are there particular struggles you want to discuss?
• Do you want practical exercises and coping strategies or are you looking for something more exploratory to discover the roots of problems?
• What recent stresses have you experienced?
• What strategies work for handling stress? What doesn’t work?
• How are you eating and sleeping at the moment?
• Do you have social support, and how do they help you?
• What do you do now for fun or to relax?

The Psychologist is using this time to get to know you, your strengths and difficulties, and to look at the severity of your symptoms. They are getting a feel for who you are and how they can be of help.

Part of the initial consultation is to chat through some of the different techniques. Searching for resources online can be great but can also be overwhelming, filled with competing strategies and advice. It can be difficult to choose which techniques to engage in without the full knowledge base and application rationale for what may be most appropriate to your personal situation. It takes a lot of effort to create change, so if you feel out of your depth about whether a technique is right for you, you’re more likely to struggle with committing to it without some experienced guidance.

Most importantly, the consultation will go at the pace you’d like it to. Some people expect that everything may be fixed with one or two sessions, and you’ll get told something that magically slots everything into place. Others may fear they will be told they’re doing everything wrong and will be given clear and easy concrete steps to follow to make everything great. This isn’t how it works.

“A consultation is a safe place to slowly discuss things at your pace and collaboratively come up with ideas to try out and test for effectiveness. It can take time and practice to learn new skills, but these new ways will be tools you can use for a lifetime.”

The key is to be open and honest, although this can take some preparation before you arrive.  Being open and vulnerable about potentially upsetting topics can be a challenge. A consultation is the beginning of a relationship. Like all relationships, it can take time to feel fully comfortable opening up, though you have the security in knowing that confidentiality is highly prioritised, and your psychologist has heard many, many stories in the past. It can take time for a full understanding to develop and for trust to grow, but the process is proven to be highly successful when given the correct nurturing.

Don’t expect everything to be said in the first session. Your entire history and all your experiences, genetics, and learning has interacted to create the path you are on. That can’t possibly all be addressed in the first session or two – nor does it need to be. As the relationship develops and the goals are clarified, the Psychologist will help you narrow the focus and find the techniques relevant to your needs. And yet again, your openness to the experience highly influences what you get out of it.

Brining someone with you to the hospital is great, but sessions should be had on a one-to-one basis, unless discussed otherwise. The reason is specific. In your life, you have roles that you play, e.g. mother, husband, son, friend, etc. With all of those labels comes a set of expectations for how you react to the other person and the boundaries of your relationship. When you come in to the session as that person, you are still in that role, which may limit your freedom to be truly open and honest.

No, you can see a Clinical Psychologist privately by paying for your own treatment. Many patients will be referred by a medical professional however, such as a GP or Consultant. Though this is not essential, many people can get treatment covered on their private insurance policies if referred by a GP or Psychiatrist. To book an appointment, call 0118 922 6970 or email rehab@circlehealth.co.uk