Stress causes, symptoms and treatments.
Stress is the body’s natural way of defending to any kind of danger. Stress blooms your body with hormones to prepare systems to confront danger. This is called fight-or-flight mechanism. Any stress reaction is your body’s way of defending you. When working properly, it keeps you energetic, alert and focused. In crisis situations, stress management can protect you since it can give you extra strength to shield yourself. For example, stress can alert you to slam the brakes to escape an accident. Stress also helps you rise to meet deadlines. It is what keeps you going during a quick presentation at work; it drives you to work hard for an exam and also sharpens your concentration when attempting a game-winning free throw. But there comes a time when stress stops being useful and starts causing damage to your mood, relationships, health, and your life.
What are the types and causes of stress?
There are three common types of stress which include;
- Chronic stress
- Episodic acute stress
- Acute stress.
- Below are the characteristics of each type.
Chronic stress
This type of stress is not thrilling and exciting; it is very dangerous, unhealthy and can tear your life. It is brought by long-term disclosure to stressor, such as traumatic experience, unhappy marriage, chronic disorders, unwanted job, dysfunctional families, relationship conflicts, and political problems. These are stressful situation which are unending. They accumulate stress that can be life-threatening and can lead to suicide, violence, and self-harm. Serious illness such as cancer, stroke, clinical depression, post-traumatic disorder, and heart attack can patent from chronic stress.
Episodic stress
This type of stress is common in people who make unreasonable and self-inflicted demands, which bring much stress in accomplishing their goals. This type of stress tends to cease from time to time. It is observed in people with Type A personality and people with this type of stress can be aggressive, demanding, hostile, tense and competitive. There may also see catastrophe and disaster in every situation and may feel that the world is unrewarding and dangerous.
Acute stress
This type of stress is the most experienced all forms of stress. It occurs due to pressures and daily demands encountered by everyone. While the word stress’ signifies a negative thought, acute stress actually brings thrill, excitement, and joy in your life. For example, riding a longer and a higher roller coaster may bring excitement, but it can be a situation that can bring much acute stress. It may bring tension, headaches, vomiting, and other physiological stress.
The common causes of stress are the external and internal cause.
External causes include; being too busy, financial problems, children and family, work or school, relationship difficulties and major life change.
Internal causes include; unrealistic expectations, pessimism, negative self-talk, inability to accept uncertainty, lack of flexibility and rigid thinking.
What are the warning signs and symptoms of stress?
How easily stress can creep up on you is the most dangerous thing about any type of stress. You might not notice how much stress may affect you, that why it’s very important to be aware of its signs and symptoms.
Different sign and symptoms include;
- Cognitive symptoms
- Emotional symptoms
- Behavioural symptoms
- Physical symptoms.
- Cognitive symptoms are constantly worrying, poor judgment, memory problems, negativity, inability to concentrate and racing thoughts.
Emotional symptoms are isolation and loneliness, emotional health problems, anger and moodiness, depression, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed.
Behavioural symptoms are nervous habits such as pacing and nail eating, eating less or more, using cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol to relax, sleeping too little or too much and neglecting responsibilities. Physical symptoms are rapid heart rate and chest pain, dizziness and nausea, constipation, pain and aches, frequent flu or colds and loss of sex drive.
What is the treatment for stress?
The first step to do when you are suffering from stress is to recognize the effect stress that you are having in your life. Once you admit that you need support, look into various treatments available. Seeking a counsellor who will be able to explore your stress level may be appropriate.
Below are the best treatments for your stress you should always consider.
Counselling
This is one of the common recommendations offered by doctors for people suffering from stress. You should talk to your counsellor about the difficulties you are undergoing. He or she will help you understand the cause of any stress and may help you cope with the stress. The counsellor is also able to address feelings such as loss of control over events, panic attacks, anxiety and other stress. He may guide you on how you can manage stress in a healthy way. It is also very important to reduce stress by learning how to relax, getting your rest, engaging your senses, eating a healthy diet and connecting with others.