HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF...Sometimes the people in our lives fall ill, or seem not quite "themselves". This can be for many reasons. Do they often say they are "Stressed" or do you often say you are "Stressed"?
These are some of the things you may hear your friends and family talk about or you yourself may be feeling or saying. We are giving you the basic meaning to what these things are that may be affecting your life or that of someone you love or care for.
If you are feeling as though you may suffer with stress, please speak to your local Doctor, Nurse, friend or someone such as a parent, teacher or coach whom you can trust. Ask them for help or speak with another health professional.
Acute stress: stressful episode that lasts for a short time.
Anxiety: state of uneasiness or fear brought on by thoughts of impending problems.
Atherosclerosis: type of narrowing and clogging of the arteries marked by deposits of plaque-cholesterol, fat, and other substances-inside artery walls.
Chronic stress: stressful episodes that last for a long time, usually with little or no relief.
Clinical depression: psychological disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, trouble concentrating, feelings of helplessness, less contact with other people, eating or sleeping less or more, and sometimes thoughts of suicide.
Distress: acute mental suffering; pain, anxiety, or sorrow.
Fatigue: weariness, tiredness, or exhaustion, usually from work, exercise, or stress.
Stress: the body's mental and physical response to any change, good or bad, in the normal routine or pattern of living.
Stressor: anything that causes stress.
Chronic stress which is unrelieved can cause many problems...
Physical problemsFrequent headaches.
Fatigue.
Insomnia.
Digestive problems, such as ulcers and indigestion.
Skin problems, such as acne.
Neck or back pain.
People with conditions such as herpes may have more "breakouts" in sores.
Appetite loss or overeating.
Drinking too much alcohol, smoking cigarettes.
Illegal Drug use
Muscle twitches, mostly in the face.
Changes in heartbeat.
Grinding teeth, and other mouth problems, such as sores and cold sores.
Worsening of asthma symptoms in people who have the condition.
Sexual problems, such as impotence or lack of desire.
Menstrual irregularity.
Psychological problemsDepression.
Irritability or resentfulness.
Inability to concentrate or perform at usual expectations.
Often you will have a greater chance of suffering physical illness (flu, colds), emotional problems, and physical injuries
Tension, anger, hostility.
Feelings of cynicism or pessimism.
Feelings of paranoia.
General feeling of boredom.
Would you believe that stress accounts for between 75 and 90 percent of all doctor's office visits?
If you can try to deal with stress in a different way, such as teaching yourself to react to stressful situations more calmly, you can get stress to work for you rather than against you. If your friend or family member is having a hard time coping, try to encourage them to speak to a health professional.
If you can do this, you will help to improve the overall quality of your life and your health.
- Michelle Palmer (
michelle@girl.com.au)