Sunday, May 24, 2009

Type of stress-sign and symptoms

It is important to learn how your body responds to different types of stress: acute stress, episodic acutestress, chronic stress, and traumatic stress. Here is a summary of the symptoms for each type of stress (APA). Recognizing the early signs of distress, and doing something about them, can make an important difference in the quality of your life. Take a look at the list below and identify any signs that you are under stress.


1.Acute Stress-happens to everyone and tends to be manageable such deadline of something
Symptoms of Acute Stress:
• Emotional distress: worry, anger, irritability,anxiety, frustration, impatience
• Physical problems: fatigue, headache, back pain, jaw pain, trembling, cold hands and feet,
and muscular stiffness that can lead to pulled muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Digestive problems: heartburn, acid stomach, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome
• Vital-Sign disturbances: rise in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
• Mental disturbances: confusion, inability to concentrate, indecisiveness, mind racing, mindlessness, or blankness

2.Episodic Acute Stress-intense reaction to everything such as an excessive competitive drive (Type A personality)
Symptoms of Episodic Acute Stress (In addition to symptoms of acute stress):
• Persistent headaches
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• Chest pain
• Heart disease

3.Chronic Stress-long-standing stress such as poverty, illness, dysfunctional families.
Symptoms of Chronic Stress:
• Loss of appetite, or overeating
• Feeling of insecurity & inadequacy
• Weakened immune system
• Heart disease
• Chronic pain in joints, back, jaw, or shoulders
• Pessimism
• Resentment
• Extreme or chronic anger
• Inability to concentrate
• Peptic ulcers
• Diminished coping ability
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Migraine headaches
• Persistent anxiety
• Reclusiveness
• Constant irritability
• Cynicism
• Low performance levels
• Digestive Disorders

4.Traumatic Stress-traumatic experience such as being in an accident,witnessing a terrible crime, losing a job.
Symptoms of Traumatic Stress:
• Feelings: unpredictable, intense mood swings; anxiety; nervousness; depression
• Thoughts: flashbacks; vivid memory of event; inability to concentrate
• Physical reactions: rapid heartbeat;sweating; headache, nausea, chest pain, general pain, and digestive problems
• Relationship problems: strained, frequent arguments with family members and/or coworkers; withdrawal and isolation from group activity