STREE MANAGEMENT Samir Al-Adawi Associate Professor College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University

Adjustment Disorders: DSM-IV Criteria Emotional/behavioral symptoms in response to identifiable stressor(s) Symptoms occur within 3 months of the onset of the stressor Symptoms do not persist for more than 6 months after termination of stressor Adjustment Stress Burnout

Maladjustment Symptoms are clinically significant Significant impairment Social functioningOccupational functioning Compromise academic competency

Possible contributory factors

Unfamiliar faces in unfamiliar settings

Different learning methods

Time management Majnun wa Laila

Road map to maladjustment

Phase 1: “The honeymoon” Individual is initially satisfied and enthusiastic to his or her studies; however job become un-enjoyable and loses energy. Phase 2: “Fuel Shortage” Constant fatigue sets in, difficulty sleeping; self-medication Phase 3: “Crisis” Increased physical illness; s/he takes sick leave; relationships suffer at home; pessimism and self-doubt prevails. Phase 4: “Hitting the Wall” Physical and psychological problems cause life threatening illnesses; s/he has so many problems at work that career is threatened.

Coping skills

When confronted with negative emotions Some people isolate themselves and ruminate over the problem Some people distract themselves (e.g. by exercising) Some avoid the problem in harmful behavior How effective is each of these behavior?

Tips for coping

Effective time management

Leisure Pursuits Do you have a hobby?

Exercise improves your mood. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs. Exercise promotes better sleep. Source: ww.mayoclinic.com/health/e xercise Physical Activity

Importance of Sleep Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Many studies demonstrate that a healthy sleep produces a significant learning dependent performance boost. Source: Harvard Women’s Health Watch: edu/press_releases/importance_of_sleep_and_health.htm

"Know Thyself"

The “Type A” pattern Becoming impatient while watching others do things you think you can do better or faster YesNo Thinking of or doing two things at once YesNo Scheduling more and more activities into less and less time YesNo Hurrying the speech of others YesNo Becoming unduly irritated when forced to wait in line or when driving behind a car you think is moving too slowly YesNo Believing that if you want something done well, you have to do it yourself YesNo Frequent knee jiggling or rapid tapping of your fingers YesNo Having difficulty sitting and doing nothing YesNo From “ Type A Behavior and Your Health ” by Friedman, Random House, 1974.

Morning vs. Evening Persons Morning Persons Individuals who feel most energetic and alert early in the day. Evening Persons Individuals who feel most energetic and alert late in the day.

Chronobiology A field of science that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar and lunar related rhythms. These cycles are known as biological rhythms. (Wikipedia, )

Jealousy and envy Envy is natural to man; and still, it is at once a vice and a source of misery. We should treat it as the enemy of our happiness, and stifle it like an evil thought”. Arthur Schopenhauer

Topographical features of Oman and stress Rock Sand Water

Topographical features of Oman and stress Rock-type As if writing your problems in the rock, you give way to problems and retain them for a long time Sand-type As if writing your problems in the sand, you give way to disappointment but the disappointment quickly passes away Fallaj/Wadi-type As if writing your problems in running water, always remains pure and undisturbed.

Thank!