DEALING WITH STRESS

Stress, Coping, and Resistance

[Monika Sommers]

Stress, Coping, and Resistance

Stress

Stress can be defined as any threat, assumed or direct, to well being. In this essay we will focus on the physiological response to a stressor and evaluate ways of coping or managing symptoms since we cannot eliminate stress completely from our lives.

Stressors

Some examples of life stressors include physical or environmental stressors such as inadequate ventilation, pollution, overcrowding, and noise. Other examples of life stressors would include natural or manmade disasters. Major life changes such as marriage, death, and divorce are stressors. Another concern that relates to stressors includes personality-related issues such as poor self-concept, an inability to set realistic goals, lack of flexibility, and bad social skills. This would include anything from personal to professional matters and can add to daily aggravation and induce stress.

Stress Reactions

Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, headache fast heartbeat, tight muscles that may cause pain and trembling, sweating palms, frequent urination, difficulty breathing, dry mouth, trouble sleeping as well as feeling excessively tired. Many addictions are linked to a stressful lifestyle, such as overeating, smoking, drinking, and drug abuse. These are used as an escape or a temporary way of "switching off" - but they do not address the underlying problem.

Effects of Stress

Behavioral psychologists have determined there is a correlation between stress and the declination on one's behavior. One may increase his usage of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs to escape his stressful state. Other problems include arguing with friends, neglecting appearance, crying easily, difficulty concentrating, and withdrawing from family and friends. In extreme cases, stress can cause insanity. For example, Marilyn Lemack was convicted of tragically drugging and smothering her three children. Her plea was insanity due to stress in her marital life (Barbara and Helen, 2007).

Emotional changes are also a common effect of stress. Symptoms include anger, anxiety, depression, nervousness, loneliness, and rejection. Changes in emotional state may lead to psychological disorders or even death, if not treated. Suicide is among the leading outcomes of stress-related depression.

Types of Stress

Stress comes in two forms, acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) and can be experienced either externally or internally. External stressors may include pain, extreme temperature changes, poor working conditions or unhappy, unfulfilling relationships. Internal stressors may include illnesses, infections or worry. Acute stress is the physiological reaction to an immediate threat. The term 'fight or flight' response is used as the body readies itself to respond to perceived danger (Brody & Dwyer, 2001).

Research carried out by Selye (1936, 1950) on rats led to his conclusion that when exposed to unpleasant situations, animals react in the same way. This response is known as the General Adaption Syndrome or GAS model which has three distinct stages, alarm, resistance and exhaustion. Once the body has perceived danger or threat it responds. The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activates the adrenal medulla on top of the kidney's to release adrenaline and noradrenalin. The heart rate increases along with breathing rate, blood flow increases priming ...