WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STRESS?
In prehistoric times, the physical changes in response to stress were an essential adaptation for meeting natural threats. Even in the modern world, the stress response can be an asset for raising levels of performance during critical events such as a sport activity, an important meeting, or in situations of actual danger or crisis. If stress becomes persistent and low level, however, all parts of the body’s stress apparatus (the brain, heart, lungs, vessels and muscles) become chronically over or under-activated. This may produce physical or psychological damage over a period of time. Acute stress can also be harmful in certain situations.
Psychological Effects of Stress: Studies suggest that the inability to adapt to stress is associated with the onset of depression or anxiety. In one study, two-thirds of subjects who experienced a stressful situation had nearly six times the risk of developing depression within that month. Some evidence suggests that repeated release of stress hormones produces hyperactivity in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and disrupts normal levels of serotonin, the nerve chemical that is critical for feelings of well being. Certainly, on a more obvious level, stress diminishes the quality of life by reducing feelings of pleasure and accomplishment and relationships are often threatened.
WHY STRESS HAS GONE
UP IN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS? FIVE FACTORS:
Work Overload would mean that everyone has to work more and more these days. Shopping, cleaning, telephone bills, children’s study, their school, different taxes to fill, bank accounts. TV repairs, car servicing, preparing food, socializing, health check up, electricity, plumbing, making telephone calls, receiving telephone calls, learning computer, reading, writing… so much of work has to be done that leads stress to increase. Fifty years ago most of these were not there, people would have been working six to eight hours a day.
Time Overload would mean a chronic shortage of time that everybody has in this modern busy world. The volume of work has increased but the time has remained same 24 hours a day. Naturally time stress has peaked up. Most of the stresses are now because of fear of getting late.
Next is the Information Overload. People are now over burdened with information. Even a child of 4 years is not spared and he has to read four to ten books. Adults have 40 pages of Newspaper to read, 46 channels in the television and hundreds of books to go through just to keep themselves in tune with the modern world. The overloaded brain gets stressed.
Requirement Overload is another problem. Suddenly the requirement has gone up. We want fridge, TV, flats, cars, ten watches, twenty dresses, bank balance, air conditioners, costly sun glasses, ten pairs of shoes… the list is never ending. To achieve them you need to earn more, work further more and learn more. The vicious circle sets in.
The last of the overloads is the Illness Overload. Due to bad lifestyle, no exercise and excessive stress every other person seems to have a disease, which leads to further stresses. All five of them can add up together and multiply each other.
MEASUREMENT OF STRESS
How to identify a Stressed Person?
A good number of individuals we have met over the years do not agree that they are stressed.
Physical Changes
1. Change in facial expression
2. Body expression
3. Sweaty palms
4. Cold fingers
5. Dry mouth
6. Shaky hands
7. Knots in the stomach
8. Tense muscles
9. Frequency of urination
10. Irregular breathing
Cognitive changes
1. Loss of sense of humor
2. Forgetfulness
3. Loss of common sense
4. Undue fear
5. Loss of memory
6. Lack of clear thinking
7. Loss of creativity
8. Making unnecessary mistakes
9. Speaking incoherently
10. Fumbling
Physiologic changes
2. Heart Rate
3. Blood Sugar
4. Beta – waves in brain
5. Acid secretion in stomach
6. Muscle contraction
9. Triglycerides
10. HDL
Behavioral changes
1. Social withdrawal
2. Restlessness
3. Smoking
4. Tobacco
5. Repeated stimulants intake
6. Excessive or reduced food intake
7. Disinterested look
8. Reckless driving
9. Alcoholism
10. Nail Biting, knee, jingling
Emotional Changes
1. Irritability
2. Short tempered
3. Undue haste
4. State of anxiety
5. Depression
6. Irrational fear
7. Feeling of insecurity
8. Undue aggression
9. Sleeplessness
10. Bad dreams
Questionnaires to
Measure Stress
How well do you manage your stress? How committed are you to your work and life? How much risk do you take? This quiz is a quick measure of your ability to resist stress through your use of these skills.
Score O if the statement is definitely not true for you:
1 If it is usually not true;
2 If it is somewhat true;
3 If it is definitely true.
· When I work hard, it gives me tension.
· Getting out of bed in the morning is easy for me.
· I have the freedom I want and need.
· I am willing to make sacrifices to gain exciting opportunities.
· Sticking to my routine is not important to me.
· I vote because I think it makes a difference.
· You make your own lucky breaks.
· I agree with the goals of my boss and my company.
· I have been “lucky in love” because I try to be a loving person.
· I believe I get what I give. But I don’t “keep score”.
· It’s important for me to try new things.
· Free time is a gift I really enjoy.
· I work hard and I am paid fairly.
· My family is a great pleasure to me.
· I speak up for what I believe in.
Hope you liked this
blog!
This blog is written by Dr. Bimal Chhajer (Best Heart Doctor)
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