Feeling Stressed Out?

Stress, is stress, is stress...or is it? Stress is a normal, psychological and physical reaction to positive or negative situations in your life. In itself it's not abnormal or bad. What's important is how you deal with it. In a previous issue, we explained your body's reaction to stress and gave you some tips on how to better manage it. Here is som more information.

Did you know that there are two types of stress? Acute stress is the "in the moment" kind of stress and usually is resolved in a short time. Chronic stress, on the other hand, is the response to emotional pressure suffered for a prolonged period and over which an individual perceives he or she has no control. Here are some examples of causes of stress:

• Major life changes: mariage, divorce, loss of employment, death of a loved one.
• Environmental stresses: we live in a noisy, busy world. You may not be aware of all the sounds around you, but they are there and your body "hears" them. Do you ever notice how quiet it becomes when the power goes off? While you may not be aware of noises in your day-to-day life, if suddenly they are not there, you notice their absence.
• Unexpected events: at work, you may suddenly be asked to do a run that was not planned; or at home, a vehicle breaks down or someone becomes ill.

You may also experience stressors from within yourself. This can include fear, uncertainty, or your own beliefs and opinions. Remember that you can control your own thoughts. It may not be easy, but recognizing and taking the initiative to replace negative thoughts with positive ones helps.

While acute stress passes in a short amount of time, chronic stress lingers and has longer-lasting effects on your body. Chronic stress can result from "in the moment" stressors, but also includes repeated exposure to stressors such as constant driving, ongoing problems in the home, worry about bills, or chronic health problems.

Both acute and chronic stress can be managed by avoiding triggers or through counseling to learn methods of reducing stress. If, however, your stress level is such that you find it difficult to go about your daily routine, you may have developed an adjustment disorder--a type of stress-related mental illness that can adjust your feelings, thoughts, and behavior. Adjustment disorders can occur after sudden life changes such as divorce, death of a loved one, or a move to a new area, and usually resolves within a few months.

Stress that doesn't resolve, or that severly affects your lifestyle may require professional treatment. Schedule an appointment with your docotr; or visit our website at www.DriversWellness.com and click on the link to Lighthouse Network to speak to a professional counselor for help in managing chronic stress.

Remember: stress itself isn't abnormal or bad. It's how you deal with it that matters.

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Differences between stress and adjustment disorder:
• Stress: Effects on your body such as headache, muscle tension, chest pain, fatigue, upset stomac, problems sleeping VS. Adjustment Disorder: Effects on your body can be the same but to a greater degree than regular stress.
• Stress: Effects on your mood such as anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, irritability, anger, sadness VS. Adjustment Disorder: Effects on your mood such as sadness, hopelessness, lack of enjoyment, crying spells, nervousness, thoughts of suicide, worry, desperation, trouble sleeping, lack of concentration, feeling overwhelmed.
• Stress: Effects on your behavior such as eating disorders, angry outbursts, drug and alcohol abuse, social withdrawal VS. Adjustment Disorder: Effects on your behavior such as fighting, reckless driving, ignoring bills, avoiding family and friends, poor work performance, missing work, vandalism.