StressStress

Reaction of mind and body to demands on Reaction of mind and body to demands on lifelife

Stressor

Something that causes stress

Eustress vs. DistressEustress vs. Distress

Eustress- stressor that is Eustress- stressor that is positivepositive, , motivational, increases confidence, motivational, increases confidence, increases productivityincreases productivity

Distress- stressor that is Distress- stressor that is negativenegative, breaks , breaks you down, hard to deal withyou down, hard to deal with

Eustress ExamplesEustress Examples

DatingDating Planning for a dance Planning for a dance

(homecoming, turnabout)(homecoming, turnabout) Competitions Competitions Try outsTry outs Getting a jobGetting a job School expectationsSchool expectations Planning weddings, Planning weddings,

vacationsvacations Later in life- a babyLater in life- a baby

Distress ExamplesDistress Examples

Death in the familyDeath in the family Homework, tests, and Homework, tests, and

projectsprojects Drama with friendsDrama with friends Peer pressurePeer pressure Pressure from parentsPressure from parents Annoying siblingsAnnoying siblings

Stress really starts with…Stress really starts with…

Your Your PERCEPTIONPERCEPTION of the event or of the event or situation.situation.

Lizard and newscaster

General Adaptation SyndromeGeneral Adaptation Syndrome 3 Stages3 Stages

Alarm- fight or flight responseAlarm- fight or flight response Body reactions: Body reactions: adrenaline, ^ heart rate, ^ oxygen, adrenaline, ^ heart rate, ^ oxygen,

muscles tighten, mind on high alertmuscles tighten, mind on high alert

Resistance- Resistance- Body functions at higher than normal Body functions at higher than normal levels until it effectively deals with stressorlevels until it effectively deals with stressor Body attempts to return to a state of balance called Body attempts to return to a state of balance called

homeostasishomeostasis. .

Exhaustion/Fatigue- can occur with Exhaustion/Fatigue- can occur with long long periods periods of stress (divorce, death, loss of job)of stress (divorce, death, loss of job) Can lead to stress related illness (minor to serious)Can lead to stress related illness (minor to serious)

80%80% of doctors visits are attributed to of doctors visits are attributed to stressstress

Why was the general adaptation Why was the general adaptation syndrome helpful to the caveman? Why is syndrome helpful to the caveman? Why is it damaging to humans today?it damaging to humans today?

Signs of StressSigns of Stress

Physical SignsPhysical Signs Headaches, trembling or twitching, upset Headaches, trembling or twitching, upset

stomach, migraines, sweating, rash, stomach, migraines, sweating, rash, constipation, diarrhea, pounding heart, constipation, diarrhea, pounding heart, muscle aches and tightness, trouble sleeping, muscle aches and tightness, trouble sleeping, grinding teeth, dry mouth, nervous twitches or grinding teeth, dry mouth, nervous twitches or tics, dizziness, back pain, ringing in earstics, dizziness, back pain, ringing in ears

Emotional SignsEmotional Signs Frustration, nervousness, boredom, edginess, Frustration, nervousness, boredom, edginess,

feeling powerless, being quick to anger, feeling powerless, being quick to anger, impatience, mood swings, worrying, impatience, mood swings, worrying, loneliness, confusion, crying, low self-esteem, loneliness, confusion, crying, low self-esteem, becoming easily upset without a causebecoming easily upset without a cause

Mental SignsMental Signs Trouble reading or thinking clearly, lack of Trouble reading or thinking clearly, lack of

creativity, constant worry, obsessive thoughts, creativity, constant worry, obsessive thoughts, inability to make decisions, forgetting, losing inability to make decisions, forgetting, losing sense of humor and perspectivesense of humor and perspective

Behavioral SignsBehavioral Signs Not eating, overeating, compulsive talking, Not eating, overeating, compulsive talking,

verbal or physical outbursts, fidgeting, using verbal or physical outbursts, fidgeting, using alcohol, caffeine, or other drugs, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, or other drugs, smoking, gambling, tapping feet, drumming fingers, gambling, tapping feet, drumming fingers, hurrying, forgetting one’s values, hurrying, forgetting one’s values,

withdrawing, reckless and high-risk behaviors withdrawing, reckless and high-risk behaviors like driving too fastlike driving too fast

Psychosomatic IllnessesPsychosomatic IllnessesPhysical conditions caused or Physical conditions caused or

aggravated by stressaggravated by stress

ExamplesExamples

Decrease immune functioningDecrease immune functioning Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) Muscle stiffness/painMuscle stiffness/pain AsthmaAsthma Irritable Bowel SyndromeIrritable Bowel Syndrome UlcersUlcers Migraine headachesMigraine headaches High blood pressureHigh blood pressure Heart attackHeart attack StrokeStroke

Personality Types

• Type A- impatient, competitive, driven to work hard, aggressive

*Is more likely to suffer from stress related illnesses if stress isn’t managed

• Type B- laid back, less hurried, patient, noncompetitive