Topic 1 Stress
Stress is how we respond to demanding situations, pressures and emotions and is predominantly an adverse reaction. Stress is normal and it causes a person to worry about something or a situation eg money, relationships or family.
Stress by itself is not a mental health illness, however depending on how a person deals with it, stress can cause or exacerbate an existing mental health illness such as anxiety or depression, if it is ignored.
Not all stress is bad. People can work better when under pressure – this is called Eustress. Students may often work better to a deadline or studying for exams as it acts as a motivator and feelings of a sense of achievement once the task is completed.
How a person manages stress is key to getting through a stressful period or episode. Being aware of triggers will give a person the time and opportunity to have positive coping mechanisms to rely on such as social activities or exercise, before or during a potentially stressful period e.g. upcoming exams, job hunting or interviews.
Symptoms of stress
Feeling stressed causes several physical symptoms; increased heart rate; shaking or jittery; being irritable and/or short-tempered; inability to relax; unable to sleep and for some people it can exhibit in the form of an upset stomach or cold sores.
Physical responses to an immediate stressful situation are:
- Fight – an aggressive response to a stressful situation
- Flight – run from danger
- Freeze – being unable to move e.g. frozen on the spot
- Fawn – trying to please someone to avoid a situation or conflict
| What happens to our body when we are stressed? | |
|---|---|
|
Adrenal gland produces adrenaline |
This speeds up the heart rate and increases blood pressure. |
|
Adrenal gland produces cortisol |
This increases glucose in the blood and energy production. Over long periods of stress these reactions can cause illness and reduce life expectancy. |
|
The pituitary gland produces oxytocin |
Can reverse the effects of stress. |