Is
this page for me ? - misconceptions about stress :
1.
Stress-related symptoms and psychosomatic diseases are all in
my head: therefore they can't really injure me.
2. Only weak people suffer from stress
3. I’m not responsible for the stress in my life –
stress is unavoidable these days – we’re all victims.
4. I always know when I begin to suffer from excessive stress.
5. It is easy to identify (only realize) the causes of excessive
stress.
6. All people respond to stress in the same way.
7. When I begin to suffer from excessive stress, all I have to
do is sit down and relax.
What
is stress ?
Anxiety
has in recent years come to be identified with the term ‘stress’.
According to most behavioral scientists, it is usually this emotion
which people are experiencing when they talk about the stress
in their lives. Other affective states, such as anger, hostility,
fear and depression can also be stressful. What they all have
in common is that they are a psycho- physiological arousal in
reaction to some stimulus that triggers a in response to the demand
it places on the person.
This
‘stress response’ can be elicited by a stress or that
is physical e.g. excessive heat, cold, noise, related to digestion
– or metabolism. Eg.caffeine, nicotine, amphetamine.
Most
often, however, it is a reaction to a stimulus interpreted by
a person as being threatening, frustrating, challenging or aversive.
Eg. Events – automobile accident, death of spouse, losing
of keys, - depression, anger are stressful.
In
each case, the way the individual interprets the events will determine
which emotion or form of stress will be felt. Stress is a killer
work place illness.
Similar
responses to Stress :
What ever the cause is , underlying every type of stressful reaction
is a pattern of physiological activity that is quite constant,
no matter what specific emotion sustained. These are :
1.
Stressful reaction
2. Physiological activity
3. Sustained emotion
Walter
Cannon (Physiologist) calls stress as a 'fight or flight' response
Both the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system are
involved in the responses with manifold changes resulting in tissues
and organs throughout the body. Once the neo-cortex of the brain
recognizes a stimulus as a threat to the person’s well being,
neural impulses release hormones from the adrenal, pituitary,
thyroid and other glands which prepare the individual for vigorous
action.
They
bring
1. dilation of the pupils of the eyes
2. accelerate the heart- strengthen its pumping action
3. Increase blood flow – and oxygen supply to the arm and
leg muscles.
4. Curtail the process of digestion
5. Add more sugar to the blood stream
All
these are immediate, aggressive, physical response to the stressful
situation.
Unfortunately,
the hormones released into the blood stream (epinephrine, ACTH,
Cortisol etc) which bring about these changes that ready the body
for action are likely to damage various organs and their tissues
if the substances remain in circulation too long.
When
stress is experienced repeatedly at frequent intervals, there
is medical evidence galore that such physical disorders as peptic
ulcers, ulcerative colitis, coronary heart disease, strokes and
arthritis are likely to be the outcome.
If
their illnesses are the result of prolonged or excessive stress,
they are given the genetic label 'psychosomatic or psycho-physiological'
disease. Even cancerous infections, high B.P, headaches are attributable
to stress.
But
not all stress is harmful.
Dr.
Hons Selye- the world’s foremost authority on the subject
of stress says that some stress experiences are positive in their
life consequences, whereas others are detrimental.
Positive
stress is called enstress and negative stress is called distress.
Persons who perceive themselves as winning experience enstress.
It is accompanied by a sense of achievement, triumph and exhilaration.
People who feel they are losing undergo distress. Disappointment,
helplessness, desperation, insecurity or inadequacy produces stress
of this type.
Cognition
related to stress :
Richard
Lazarus in ' Coping with stress' emphasizes the important role
played by cognition- (i.e. thought or perception) in the individuals
stress response. Lazarus regards situations only when perceived
or appraised negatively.
Thus,
for a stress response to occur, a person must be aware of an exterior
or interior demand that calls into question his or her ability
to cope with it successfully and painlessly.
Evidences
of Stress :
1.
General irritability – hyper excitation or depression.
2. Pounding of the heart.(on indication of high B.P)
3. Dryness of throat and mouth
4. Impulsive behavior, emotional instability
5. The over powering urge to cry or run and hide
6. Inability to concentrate, flight of thoughts, and general disorientation.
7. Predilection to become fatigued, and the loss of the joie de
vive
8. ‘Free-floating anxiety’ – i.e. afraid, but
unable to recognize why?
9. Emotional tension and alertness., a feeling of being keyed
up
10. Trembling, nervous tic. (I.e.) brief, recurrent, irresistible
movement of a small segment of the body.
11. Tendency to be easily startled by sounds that are not loud.
12. High pitched, nervous laughter,
13. Shuttering and other speech difficulties
14. Gnashing or grinding of the teeth/
15. Insomnia
16. Sweating
17. The frequent need to urinate
18. Diarrhea, indigestion, queasiness in the stomach, and sometimes
even vomiting
19. Migraine headache
20. Premenstrual tension or missed menstrual cycle.
21. Pain in the neck or lower back
22. Loss of appetite or compulsive eating
23. Increased smoking
24. Increased use of legally prescribed drugs. – tranquilizers
or amphetamines
25. Alcohol and drug addiction
26. Nightmares
27. Neurotic behavior
28. Psychoses
29. A marked proneness to accidents.
30. Absenteeism.(avoidance of contact with stressful situation)
31. Poor work performance (slipping obviously below the person's
ordinary level of competence.
32. Excessive use of defense mechanisms – such as denial,
rationalization, projection which unconsciously enable one to
fail to recognize, explain away or find someone else the flames
in one’s self.
Modes
of Assisting :
1.
The helper should take a non-judgmental way and assist the client
to realize that they are responsible for much of the stress in
their lives and that it is self-propagated. The client should
interpret for themselves – realize and accept responsibility
to reduce of excessive stress.
2. Prevent occurrences that are likely to result in stress. The
Counselor can help clients to find ways to make changes in their
own lives, which will enable them to avoid, minimize or modify
their occasions of stress. eg. take a new job.
3. Teach them to develop self-awareness. (What signs, symptoms)
also to identify their personal stresses.
4. Help to modify their unrealistic or irrational beliefs about
themselves, life, work, people and God.
5. Help to understand the way their stress has been developing.
They need to be taught :
1. That the events in their lives which are resulting in painful
emotions and potential diseases are not causing these result,
but only providing occasions for them.
2. That their interpretations of these events are what causes
the emotions and damage.
3. That these interpretations are based on their beliefs i.e..
convictions formed through past experience.
4. That when a stressful situation or event cannot be avoided,
it is possible to reduce distress by modifying one’s beliefs
and interpretations.
Eg.
an always hurrying, perfectionist, competitive Type A. Executive
who is driving himself rapidly toward a heart attack by taking
on too many time-consuming responsibilities is experiencing frequent
anger and impatience. He believes people are unworthy of time
or attention and they will be rewarded only if they accomplish
in their life-time all the things which they are capable”.
He recognizes –as this belief maintained – and work
opportunities are interpreted as irrefutable. Such a belief was
probably learned early in life from achievement oriented parents
and other adults.
Possible
Treatments :
- Dietary modification
- Neuromuscular relaxation
- Assertiveness training
- Meditation
- Time management
- Social skill training
- Conscious avoidance of stressors
- Biofeedback
- Physical exercise
- Voluntarily controlled respiration
- Systematic desensitization
Suggestions for HR People :
1.
Strive to accept and to like yourself as you are. If you enjoy
being you, it will be easy for you to spontaneously show esteem
for your clients.
2. Maintain your own support networks. Invest your leisure time
regularly in social activities-express your feelings-survive crises.
Receive the esteem and affection of others - develop realistic
goals.
3. Balance your life not overloading it with work. There is demand-
but do not neglect your own well being. Time should be set aside
spiritual, mental, intellectual, cultural – exercises….
4. Take vacations regularly-sometime for leisure everyday
5. Be realistic- keep your Mental health.
6. Live today and have the moment.
To
post a feedback or make a comment or enquire further contact hrd@madrasmarkets.com.
For in-depth discussion of issues send an email to hrdissues-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Contact us for further consultation.
