DOES a national recession necessarily lead to stress, depression and other health issues? Often one way of dealing with this is to treat yourself in some way – a hairdo, beauty treatment, therapy and the like. But how are these types of business in Times

DOES a national recession necessarily lead to stress, depression and other health issues?

Often one way of dealing with this is to treat yourself in some way - a hairdo, beauty treatment, therapy and the like.

But how are these types of business in Times Territory coping in these trying times.

The WHT's Simon Wesson went to find out.

Irene Droetmen, who runs a stress management firm in Mannicotts, WGC, said the lack of cash around was creating a "vicious circle".

"The trouble is that even if people do have worries or concerns about money issues, they cannot afford to spend it on any type of treatment whether it be for beauty or psychological.

"So therefore it is hard to tell if people are more stressed due to the credit crunch, but that is most probably the case; it also creates a problem for the businesses that provide this kind of help."

* Chrissie Clarkson, owner of Synergie Beauty, in Station Road, Knebworth, told the WHT the credit crunch has had a mixed effect on her business.

"We have definitely noticed a change.

"On the beauty side of things it seems people are more prepared to try treatments at home, rather than necessarily pay to have a luxurious experience.

"And those who do have beauty treatments are not coming in on such a regular basis, they are spreading it out.

"I wouldn't say that people who have been coming in have been more stressed due to the credit crunch though."

She added: "Our hairdressing side seems to be busier than ever.

"Trade has really picked up. Hairdressing is one of those things everyone needs. You have to get your hair done.

"Overall trade dropped a bit in the summer, but is picking up now."

* Hypnotherpaist Mark Vasey, owner of Knebworth firm 4, which provides a variety of treatments from massages, hypnotherapy, holistic therapy, hairdressing and other beauty treatments, said: "With hypnotherapy I am, without a doubt seeing more people due to the recession.

"If you have any type of anxiety phobia or symptom, it will be magnified or amplified by any external pressure; a massive pressure like the credit crunch will affect people."

He added: "After 21 years here, and after recently having a refurbishment, we pride ourselves on the quality of service and that's what I think is going to be vital now.

"If you create a quality atmosphere and provide a brilliant service people will want to pay a little extra to come see you and be relaxed, rather than going somewhere cheaper with a mediocre service."

* Karen Young, of WGC, said she had to close her weight loss company in January as the credit crunch took hold.

The Purdom Road woman said her Meditech Clinic treatment was simply not generating enough interest.

"People were just not prepared to pay, what was quite a substantial price, for a beauty treatment," she said.

"I found it very difficult to advertise myself.

"In September I decided to work from home, but even then I couldn't carry on.

"It's a shame because we were doing really, really, well but then recession took hold.

"If I had started the business a few years back I would have been OK, but because it was a fairly new business I struggled.