How Do I Ensure That Stress Is The Real Problem
Compared to the flu or an infection, stress is harder to pin down. There are a couple of different methods used to diagnose stress.
Questionnaires are commonly used to diagnose stress because they take your feelings into account. By answering questions about how youre feeling and whats going on in your life, you can help a medical expert decide whether or not youre experiencing psychological stress.
Biochemical measures are a more concrete way to diagnose stress. Biochemical measurement involves measuring levels of certain compounds in your blood to determine stress levels. This is a reliable method for diagnosing stress because it measures levels in your body instead of relying on your answers to questions.
Physiological measurementslike your pulseare another good way to spot changes in the body that are a result of stress. When youre stressed, your heart rate and blood pressure usually increase, which means measuring numbers like that is a good way to tell if youre stressed.
Respiratory And Cardiovascular Systems
Stress hormones affect your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. During the stress response, you breathe faster in an effort to quickly distribute oxygen-rich blood to your body. If you already have a breathing problem like asthma or emphysema, stress can make it even harder to breathe.
Under stress, your heart also pumps faster. Stress hormones cause your blood vessels to constrict and divert more oxygen to your muscles so youll have more strength to take action. But this also raises your blood pressure.
As a result, frequent or chronic stress will make your heart work too hard for too long. When your blood pressure rises, so do your risks for having a stroke or heart attack.
Getting Help For Depression
If you think you might be depressed, take a depression screening. Print out the results or e-mail them to yourself and then show them to a counselor or doctor.
To get help, start with your student health center or counseling service on campus. Most community colleges provide limited free mental health services and can refer you to local providers for longer-term treatment. You can also talk to your family doctor. Your local Mental Health America affiliate can refer or in some cases provide services as well. To find the nearest MHA affiliate, call 800-969-6642 or go to Find An Affiliate.
Remember, depression and other mental health conditions are nothing to be ashamed of. Depression is not a sign of weakness, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Telling someone you are struggling is the first step toward feeling better. You will need the help of a mental health professional to beat depression. Talk therapy, antidepressant medication or a combination can be very effective.
In crisis? If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.
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How Is Depression Syndrome Diagnosed
Everyone may feel sad or down from time to time. However, clinical depression has more intense symptoms that last two weeks or longer.
To determine whether you have clinical depression, your healthcare provider will ask questions. You may complete a questionnaire and provide a family history. Your healthcare provider may also perform an exam or order lab tests to see if you have another medical condition.
Symptoms Of Uncontrolled Stress
Like in any medical condition, the starting point towards the resolution of the problem that is stress is symptom recognition. Stress is your bodys way of protecting you it is a normal physiological response to any threatening event that comes your way. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing harm to your health and life in general. Below are some of the common warning signs and symptoms of too much or uncontrolled stress. If you seem to be experiencing many of the symptoms listed, then it likely indicates that you are not coping with the stress in your life effectively.
Cognitive Symptoms.
Cognitive symptoms refer to problems that have anything to do with brain processes like thinking, attention, perception, memory, reasoning, and problem solving. The most commonly observed cognitive symptoms of poorly managed stress are as follows:
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Memory problems
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For those who dont know, there are officially 38 different ways to make coffee. All, except decaffeinated versions will give you the same buzz that can either make you extremely productive or give you anxiety.
The only difference here is taste. And when it comes to coffee, taste matters. A lot.
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How Do You Know If You Have Anxiety: Signs Symptoms And When To Get Help
It is common to experience anxiety in life. It is a natural response to stress, pressure, or when you feel threatened. It could also signal something more significant such as generalized anxiety disorder depending on the level of anxiety and how often it occurs. Feeling anxious is common when waiting on test results, driving through rush-hour traffic, or dealing with problems at work. Anxiety could affect daily living when symptoms are not addressed. However, since anxiety symptoms affect people differently, it is important to learn how torecognizethem and when they may require professional help.
How Can We Avoid Stress
Experiencing stress from time to time is normal, but it is important to prevent stress build up that leads to high levels of stress and possibly burnout. Some simple ways to avoid stress include finding effective ways to balance all your responsibilities, getting enough sleep, not taking on too much, eating a healthy diet, and taking part in physical activity.
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You Have Chronic Head And Body Aches
As I said before, your body puts itself into hyper mode when youre stressed out. This fatigue not only affects your focus and attention, but also puts a physical strain on your body. Your body has a natural fight or flight mechanism which stemmed from the early days of humanity in which we had to actually dodge predators on a normal basis. Nowadays, though we dont have to worry about lions and bears coming out of nowhere to attack us, our body reacts the same way to recurring stress accrued from work and other parts of life. Why do you think getting a shoulder rub feels so great after a long day? Because your bodys been tense for the past eight hours dealing with all the garbage youve had to deal with.
Take Care Of Your Body
A healthy body can help you manage stress. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep, eat healthy food, stay hydrated and exercise regularly. Go easy on the caffeine. Shorting yourself on sleep, and especially pulling an all-nighter, robs you of energy and your ability to concentrate. A healthy diet improves your ability to learn. Don’t skip breakfast.
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Learn The Hidden Signs Of Stress And How To Manage Symptoms
Everyone has their own unique experiences when it comes to stress. Stress can be caused by workplace tensions, a clash of styles, social or home-life problems, or unexpected life events. Although we might know what can cause stress, sometimes its hard to know if were experiencing it ourselves.
Cheryl Carmin, PhD, psychologist at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Centers Harding Hospital, and Maryanna Klatt, PhD, professor in the Department of Family Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, discuss the different causes and signs of stress and ways that you can manage symptoms.
What are hidden signs of stress?Carmin says signals of stress may involve procrastination, engaging in activities that are enjoyable but may involve avoiding tasks you really need to do, or eliminating your stress-reducing activities because you dont have time. Some people find that they become irritable when they experience stress, and it might take a friend or family member to point out that they seem grumpy. For some, stressful events can cause your immune system to weaken and for you to get sick. A hidden sign can be as simple as coming down with a cold. If you seldom catch a cold, this may be a signal that your body is under stress, Carmin says. Other symptoms include:
- Feeling fatigued most of the time
- Having more headaches or muscle tension
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
You Answered Yes To Question
If you answered No to Question 1, you most likely do not have PTSD. If you have concerns about anxiety, stress, depression, or other mental health issues, speak with a licensed professional.
Based on the answers you provided, it is unlikely you meet the criteria for PTSD. However, if you are struggling with the symptoms you are experiencing, you are encouraged to seek help from a qualified mental health professional.
Based on the answers you provided, it is possible you meet the criteria for PTSD. If you are struggling to cope with the symptoms you identified, you are encouraged to seek additional assessment from a qualified mental health professional.
Based on your answers, it is likely you meet the criteria for PTSD. If these are symptoms you have been experiencing for longer than 6 months you are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional.
Some resources to find a licensed professional include:
Company
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Relieving Stress Is The Same For Everybody
Exercising might be a great way for some people to combat stress, but it may lead to someone else feeling even more stressed about going to the gym. Addressing and treating stress is far from the same for everybody, so you need to figure out a treatment option that works for you.
If youre uncertain about how to start pushing back on your stress, talking to your health care provider can help initiate your stress reduction journey.
How Can I Prevent Panic Attacks
Your healthcare provider can help you identify triggers that bring on panic attacks. During psychotherapy, you learn strategies to manage triggering events and prevent an attack. You can also take these actions to lower your odds of having a panic attack:
- Cut back on caffeine.
- Talk to your doctor before taking herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications. Certain substances can increase anxiety.
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Who Is This Stress Quiz For
Answer the quiz questions below to see if you or a loved one may be suffering from too much stress.
The questions below relate to life experiences common among people who are enduring a significant amounts of stress. Please read each question carefully, and indicate how often you have experienced the same or similar challenges in the past few months.
Stress And Your Health
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.
Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts for a long time, it may harm your health.
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How Do You Tell The Difference Between Good Stress And Bad
We hardly ever listen to people claim, Im truly feeling stressed. Isnt that fantastic? But if we really did not have some stress and anxiety in our lives the good stress selection we would certainly feel rudderless as well as miserable. How Do You Tell The Difference Between Good Stress And Bad?
If we define tension as anything that modifies our homeostasis, then excellent tension, in its many forms, is important for a healthy life. Poor stress and anxiety can also become great anxiety, as well as vice versa.
Signs And Symptoms Of Stress Overload
The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feel familiar, even normal. You dont notice how much its affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll. Thats why its important to be aware of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress overload.
Cognitive symptoms:
- Other mental or emotional health problems
Physical symptoms:
- Chest pain, rapid heart rate
- Loss of sex drive
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Withdrawing from others
- Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
- Nervous habits
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Your Hair Is Starting To Shed
When stress levels become too much, it’s pretty common for your hair to peace on out. You might notice a bit more shedding, say, when you take a shower. Or, you might experience a more severe form of hair loss called telogen effluvium, Bhanuasli tells me. This can cause noticeably thinner hair all over your scalp. But don’t worry â it can all grow back once you deal with your stress.
What Causes Panic Attacks
Experts dont know why some people experience panic attacks or develop panic disorder. The brain and nervous system play key roles in how you perceive and handle fear and anxiety. Your risk of having panic attacks increases if you have:
- Family history:Anxiety disorders, including panic disorders, often run in families. Experts arent sure why.
- Mental health issues: People who have anxiety disorders, depression or other mental illness are more prone to panic attacks.
- Substance abuse problems:Alcoholism and drug addiction can increase the risk of panic attacks.
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You Have A Constant Headache That Just Wont Go Away
If you experience throbbing or feel pressure anywhere on the head or temple area, theres a good chance its a tension or stress headache, says Dr. Colgan. Oftentimes people point to particular troubles in their life that might be causing this pain, but lifestyle might be to blame instead. Keep in mind, if your head pain feels like a migraine headache, the worst headache of your life, or a headache that wakens you from sleep, those are signs of a dangerous health problem. You should visit a doctor immediately, advises Dr. Colgan.
What to do: When stress is the cause of your headache, the easiest thing to say is, have less stress in your life. But that advice itself is stressful, says Dr. Colgan. Knowing what your headaches coming from is helpful therapy. People oftentimes feel worse worrying and trying to figure out what the cause could be. So knowing its not some serious health problem may make a person feel better. Sometimes the most effective way a doctor can treat a patient is to teach them about their symptoms, says Dr. Colgan.
That Headache Just Wont Go Away
Have throbbing pain in your head all day? It could be a stress-induced headache or migraine.
Headaches are more likely to occur when you’re stressed, the Mayo Clinic explained. Stress is a common trigger of tension-type headaches and migraine, and can trigger other types of headaches or make them worse.
What can you do about them? Not much, according to the Mayo Clinic, other than live a less stressful life. But, if your headache is sudden, severe, accompanied by a fever or double vision, or is experienced after a head injury, head to the hospital immediately.
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Do Men And Women Experience Stress Differently
Contrary to popular belief that women are more stressed-out and anxious than men, doctors say that there is no clear evidence that there is a gender difference when it comes to stress. I do think that women may be more likely to seek out help, says Dr. Gupta.
Yet the APA survey suggests that women are more likely to report feeling stressed than are men. Women say they have experienced a slight increase in their stress levels in the past year: On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being little or no stress and 10 being a great deal of stress, women went from 5.0 in 2016 to 5.1 in 2017 in contrast, mens stress dipped, from 4.6 in 2016 to 4.4 in 2017. The survey also found that men and women get stressed out by different things. Women are likelier to say they feel stress about hate crimes, wars and conflicts, and terrorism than men do.
Whatever symptoms of stress youre feeling or what may be causing them, its important to find stress relief to prevent both short- and long-term health problems related to stress. Find out how to do that here.
Recognising Your Stress Triggers
If you’re not sure what’s causing your stress, keep a diary and make a note of stressful episodes for two-to-four weeks. Then review it to spot the triggers.
Things you might want to write down include:
- the date, time and place of a stressful episode
- what you were doing
- a stress rating
You can use the diary to:
- work out what triggers your stress
- work out how you operate under pressure
- develop better coping mechanisms
Doctors sometimes recommend keeping a stress diary to help them diagnose stress.
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Find The Help You Need
If youre diagnosed with stress, dont fretthere is hope for people dealing with both acute and chronic stress. There are many things you can do to avoid stressful situations and manage the stress youre already dealing with.
The first step is figuring out what your triggers are so you can avoid them. Even if you cant avoid your triggers, understanding them so you can proactively deal with stress is important.
If you are having trouble managing stress and its mental and physical effects, you may need help from a health care professional. You dont need to struggle on your own. Call your primary care physician or a local mental health facility, like McLean, to find the care you need.
