CHILL OUT

PROGRAMME 1: ERICA

In this programme we meet 17-year-old Erica who, according to her friends, gets stressed about everything. Dr Mark Hamilton, an expert in the field of teenage stress, has three weeks to reduce Erica's anxiety levels with a stress-busting action plan. Can he help her to become cool, calm and confident or will her stress levels continue to ruin her life?

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

00:00 – 00:56

We are given an insight into the programme. We hear young people talking about stress. Dr Mark Hamilton, a psychologist, has three weeks to help Erica reduce her anxiety.

00:57 – 02:28

Erica is 17 and lives in Brighton with a family friend. Her friends say she gets stressed about everything, and there's often no need. Erica feels that her friends know what they're doing and where they're going, but she doesn't. One of her issues is that she is at college but has no idea what career she would like to pursue.

02:29 – 03:26

We meet Dr Mark Hamilton who tells us how to test stress. He interviews Erica, who explains what causes her stress.

03:27 – 05:09

It is 8.30am on stress-testing day. At various times during the day, Erica must check her stress levels. This includes blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels. She goes to see a careers adviser and has a panic attack.

05:10 – 05:37

Mark lists the symptoms associated with stress and he gives us some tips for dealing with it.

05:38 – 07:12

It is 3pm and Erica is going to vist her mother, who has personal problems. Erica returns after a short while, extremely stressed, and turns to food for comfort.

07:13 – 08:16

Erica takes the final stress reading and Mark goes through it with her. He points out that some stress is good, making the brain more alert. He helps her prepare an action plan.

08:17 – 09:58

First of all, her career paths needs to be explored. After answering a series of questions, she focuses on two options: journalism and charity work. She says that writing things down and organising her thoughts on paper helped her to think more clearly. Work experience in these two areas is the next step forward.

09:59 – 11:20

Mark gives a few techniques for dealing with stressful situations.

11:21 – 14:55

Mark deals with Erica's self image. Mark works on a visualisation technique.

14:56 – 16:49

The next technique helps her tackle her relationship with her mum.

16:50 – 19:26

We see Erica undertaking her work experience for a fashion magazine and for a charity running after-school clubs. She must try out the relaxation techniques on her own for two weeks.

19:27 – 22:16

She spends some quality time with her mother for the first time in years. They attend a pottery café together and both say they really enjoyed it. Erica feels she can talk to her mum after trying out the technique Mark taught her. We see her getting ready for a barbecue and she is not stressed at all.

22:17 – 24:03

Mark returns to see Erica with an analysis of her cortisol readings. He leaves her calmer, more positive, and clearer about where she is going in life.