Stress

What is Stress?

Stress happens to everyone. It's part of life.

Some stress can be challenging and beneficial -- pushing us to reach beyond our usual limits. That's good. But too much stress (or too many stressors) -- stress that happens all at once, or seems to never let up -- can lead to both physical and mental disorders.

People often discount the stressful nature of good changes, and admit feeling stressed only when things are going badly. Actually, both good and bad changes can be stressful. For example, being promoted to a more demanding job is stressful. So is getting married.

Some Stressful Experiences:

Injury or Illness
Personal Loss (separation, or the death of a friend)
Changes at Home or Work
Financial Problems

Today, stress and stress related disorders are common in this country. Many people who visit physicians for physical complaints also suffer from stress induced mental and emotional symptoms.

Stress Symptoms:

Severe traumatic events can produce Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Too much non-traumatic stress, for too long, will usually produce internal tension that may appear as symptoms of either anxiety or depression.

ANXIETY

fear that something bad will happen
nervousness or worry
can't relax or slow down; impatience

DEPRESSION

feeling helpless, hopeless or despair
disrupted sleep, lethargy
loss of concentration, poor memory
Some people try to self-medicate these unpleasant feelings with alcohol or drugs. In the long run, this makes things worse.

If several symptoms from either category persist over time, or if you notice yourself using alcohol or drugs to escape from stress, you may need to seek help from a professional.

Things you can do to lessen Stress:

learn to relax
talk things over with a good friend
change your routine
regular physical exercise
play, or take up a new hobby
set realistic goals at work or home
plan your work most efficiently
avoid making several big changes at once
If you feel stressed-out, have tried to moderate your level of stress, and still experience stress related symptoms, seek help from a professional.

If you know someone who is stressed and needs help:

Listen to them. Just hearing their problems is likely more helpful than trying to solve them.

Employers should attend to signs of stress related symptoms in all employees.

Encourage friends or employees showing stress symptoms -- either at home

or work -- to reduce their level of stress.

If problems persist, encourage them to seek help from a professional.