Feeling the frustration and stress

The feeling of being wronged adds to the financial difficulties behind many claims. The personal histories behind many of the MoneyClaimsUK claimants we support show these feelings can cause damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

You might not have noticed how much it's affecting you, even as it takes its toll.

Psychologist Connie Lillas used a driving analogy to describe the 3 most common ways we each respond when we are overwhelmed:

  • Foot on the gas: angry or agitated stress response. You're heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.
  • Foot on the brake: a withdrawn or depressed stress response. You shut down, space out, and show very little energy or emotion.
  • Foot on both: a tense and frozen stress response. You "freeze" under pressure and can't do anything. You look paralysed, but under the surface you’re extremely agitated.

Not all stress is caused by external factors. Stress can also be self-generated. Reflect on your day and watch for the most common signs and symptoms:

  • Memory problems
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Poor judgment
  • Seeing only the negative
  • Anxious or racing thoughts
  • Constant worrying
  • Moodiness
  • Irritability or short temper
  • Agitation, inability to relax
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Sense of loneliness and isolation
  • Depression or general unhappiness
  • Nausea, dizziness
  • Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Eating more or less
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Isolating yourself from others
  • Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
  • Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
  • Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

Your body doesn't distinguish between physical and psychological threats. When you're stressed your body reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a life-or-death situation. Your emergency stress response may be "on" most of the time. The more your body's stress system is activated, the easier it is to trip next time and the harder it becomes to shut off.

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

The idea of having to go to Court can add to your level of stress. MoneyClaimsUK is here to support you as a litigant in person by making your experience as smooth as possible.


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