Lesson 3: Stress and anxiety Head-ED Lesson 3: Stress and anxiety Learning Objectives: Explain what stress and anxiety are Describe the effects of stress on the body  

A tiger walks into the room. What is your response?

Stress is there for a reason

“Managing stress” (a short video from YouTube) Stress explained “Managing stress” (a short video from YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnpQrMqDoqE Click the link for a short video from YouTube.

Exercise - Where in the body… …do we feel anxiety or worry? What and where are the symptoms? Each group takes a piece of flip chart paper and draws a body outline like the one above. They then number the areas where anxiety/worry is felt and make a separate record of what the symptom is. For example, a number might be placed over the heart with a note telling of increased heart rate. The group that reaches the highest number gets to demonstrate their findings with the remainder of the class filling in any gaps. The symptoms found should be something in line with the next slide.

Prolonged stress effects on the body Memory weakness Headache Insomnia Hair loss Pounding heart Rapid breathing Digestive problems Raised blood glucose levels Raised blood pressure Erectile dysfunction/menstrual problems Skin issues

Some stress is understandable New levels of study, plus important exams. A lot of changes in life Social pressures – friends and family. It is important to recall that some stress is normal and desirable.

Without some stress we can be a bit….. This chap here is so bored and ‘under-stressed’ with his work that he is sleeping. Some refer to this as ‘rust-out’, the opposite of burn-out, but where the consequences are much the same. Students can be asked what makes them feel generally bored and uninspired. Do they sometimes look forward to not doing very much, but then feel unfulfilled? How do they feel after end of term exams, maybe? Is life wonderful and free as they expected or instead is there a kind of flat feeling?

STRESS P High E R F O M A N C E Low Low Medium High Optimal Anxious Some stress can be a good thing. Too little and our performance is low because we feel lethargic or unmotivated. Too much and we cannot perform because of the reasons already stated – tired, lack of concentration, etc. P High E R F O M A N C E Low Optimal Anxious Asleep Low Medium High STRESS

Why don’t we see anxious ducks? Michelle and Vicky dislike each other. Vicky has posted sly comments about Michelle on Facebook. Michelle gives Vicky a dirty look in PSHE class. What happens next? Daisy and Jemima are ducks who live on the same pond. They start eating the same piece of bread and both suddenly notice the other eating their bread at the same time. What happens next?

Stress is caused by a physical factor or stressor that we are responding to – the ducks were stressed by each other. Anxiety is stress that continues after that stressor is gone. Ducks do not get anxious.

Repeated anxiety Most animals are not like us. Unlike animals, our stress lasts and becomes anxiety Leads to depression or anxiety disorders Even to psychosis or self harming.

The supermarket queue …

Because some anxiety is a normal human experience (e. g Because some anxiety is a normal human experience (e.g. worrying about an exam), it's sometimes hard to know when it's becoming a problem for you – but if your feelings of anxiety are very strong, or last for a long time, it can become overwhelming.

Anxiety Disorders A very quick look at what anxiety disorders are. Not too much focus on this area as hopefully students will be avoiding this condition.

Some Anxiety Disorders Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) Panic disorder Social anxiety disorder Phobias eg agoraphobia, specific phobias (such as animals, heights, going to the dentist) Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Definitions: Generalised anxiety disorder - characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry, that is, apprehensive expectation about events or activities. This excessive worry often interferes with daily functioning, as individuals with GAD typically anticipate disaster, and are overly concerned about everyday matters. Panic Disorder – A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying. Repeated attacks are known as panic disorder. Phobia – an irrational fear of some thing or some situation, again resulting in the sort of responses seen above. Obsessive compulsive disorder - is a disorder of the brain and behaviour. OCD causes severe anxiety in those affected. OCD involves both obsessions and compulsions that take a lot of time and get in the way of important activities the person values Post-traumatic stress disorder - a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and to the outside world.

Tips for exam stress Do some revision otherwise you will just worry about failing Take meals away from study Take time out for what relaxes you Remain social Proper time off from study (no email, texting, or thinking!). When was the last time…… Some ideas for ‘putting down’ stress. Learners can be asked to come up with their own ideas.

Learning Outcomes You should be able to explain what stress and anxiety are You should be able to describe the effects of stress on the body You should have a better idea of how to cope when in stressful situations  

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