Stress Management for the Caregiver Lesson II: Theory of Stress Module V: The Emotions of Stress

Contents –Module V- Stress Emotions/Anger and Fear Content Content Self-Assessment Anger Quiz Self-Assessment Anger Quiz Discussion Questions Discussion Questions Review Review –Final Test

Module V: The Emotions of Stress In this module the learner will be introduced to the stress emotions of fear and anger and their impact on the physical body. At the end of this module: In this module the learner will be introduced to the stress emotions of fear and anger and their impact on the physical body. At the end of this module: –The learner will identify their anger patterns through a self-assessment test, the results to be shared in reflective discussion.

Anger and Fear Anger and fear are two emotions of stress. Anger and fear are two emotions of stress. –Anger allows us to want to fight a threat. –Fear allows us to want to flee a threat. –Thus both are part of Fight or Flight. –They protect us

Anger and Fear Anger is a defense mechanism that when dealt with and diffused appropriately can be a very healthy expression. Anger is a defense mechanism that when dealt with and diffused appropriately can be a very healthy expression. –Anger that is expressed with hostility or is suppressed. –Anger causes the physiological changes associated with fight or flight, with peripheral vasodilation increasing, causing a flushed face.

Anger and Fear Relationship of improperly expressed anger and disease: Relationship of improperly expressed anger and disease: –Migraine headaches –Ulcers –Colitis –Arthritis –Hypertension –Heart Disease (Hostility is directly related to this)

Anger and Fear Anger and Fear Anger and Fear Anger Explode Withdrawal Resentment Physical Problems Hostility Hatred

Anger and Fear Well Managed Anger Well Managed Anger Anger Recognize and Validate Feelings Evaluate Control and Clear Expression Problem Resolution Greater interaction and improved relationships

Anger and Fear Fear is the flight response of fight or flight. When recognized and dealt with this is a very healthy defense mechanism. Fear is the flight response of fight or flight. When recognized and dealt with this is a very healthy defense mechanism. –Fear which is irrational or has not been addressed can develop into unwarranted fear. –Unwarranted fear can block our ability to discern when we are truly threatened. –It causes a pale complexion due to vasoconstriction.

Anger and Fear Relationship of improperly expressed fear and disease: Relationship of improperly expressed fear and disease: –Anger –Anxiety –Depression –Ulcers –Colitis –Autoimmune Diseases

Anger Assessment The following is a quick exercise to assist you to understand how you exhibit anger in a course of a day and the frequency. The following is a quick exercise to assist you to understand how you exhibit anger in a course of a day and the frequency.

Anger Assessment When I feel angry, my anger tends to surface in the following ways: When I feel angry, my anger tends to surface in the following ways: Anxious Anxious Depressed Depressed Over eat Over eat Start dieting Start dieting Trouble sleeping Trouble sleeping Excessive sleeping Excessive sleeping Careless Driving Careless Driving Chronic fatigue Chronic fatigue Abuse alcohol/drugs Abuse alcohol/drugs

Anger Assessment Explode in rage Explode in rage Cold withdrawal Cold withdrawal Tension headaches Tension headaches Migraine headaches Migraine headaches Sarcasm Sarcasm Hostile joking Hostile joking Accident prone Accident prone Guilty and self-blaming Guilty and self-blaming Smoke or drink Smoke or drink High blood pressure High blood pressure Frequent nightmares Frequent nightmares

Anger Assessment Tendency to harp or nag Tendency to harp or nag Intellectualize Intellectualize Upset Stomach Upset Stomach Muscle tension Muscle tension Swear or name call Swear or name call Cry Cry Threaten others Threaten others Buy things Buy things Frequent lateness Frequent lateness Never feel angry Never feel angry Clenched jaw muscles/TMJ Clenched jaw muscles/TMJ bored bored

Anger Assessment Nausea, vomiting Nausea, vomiting Skin problems Skin problems Easily irritable Easily irritable Sexual difficulty Sexual difficulty Sexual apathy Sexual apathy Busy work Busy work Sulk, whine Sulk, whine Hit, throw things Hit, throw things Complain whine Complain whine Cut/mutilate myself Cut/mutilate myself Insomnia Insomnia Promiscuity Promiscuity Help others Help others

Anger Assessment Other ______________________________ Other ______________________________ My average number of anger episodes per day is____________________. My average number of anger episodes per day is____________________.

Discussion and Application Take a moment to answer the following questions and be prepared to share your answers within the group or if online you may send your responses as a word attachment to I will respond to your comments within 24 hours. Take a moment to answer the following questions and be prepared to share your answers within the group or if online you may send your responses as a word attachment to I will respond to your comments within 24 Based on the anger assessment quiz, do you feel you have issues with managing anger? If so, what is your current style? Think of three ways to vent your anger or redirect it in a healthy way. Based on the anger assessment quiz, do you feel you have issues with managing anger? If so, what is your current style? Think of three ways to vent your anger or redirect it in a healthy way.

Discussion and Application If you feel you don’t have anger issues, share how you deal with your anger. If you feel you don’t have anger issues, share how you deal with your anger.

Review Anger and fear are healthy emotions that when expressed appropriately protect us from harm. Anger and fear are healthy emotions that when expressed appropriately protect us from harm. There is a direct correlation with disease and mismanaged anger, especially heart disease. There is a direct correlation with disease and mismanaged anger, especially heart disease. Mismanaged anger and fear just lead to more anger and fear. Mismanaged anger and fear just lead to more anger and fear. Click here if you feel you need to review this module before continuing on to the final test for Lesson II. To review other lessons: Ruth's Web Page Ruth's Web Page

Test Please access the following Web Site for your Test on Lesson II: Theory of Stress, before continuing on with the next two lessons VGZZAPT Please access the following Web Site for your Test on Lesson II: Theory of Stress, before continuing on with the next two lessons VGZZAPT 248VGZZAPT 248VGZZAPT Ruth's Web Page Ruth's Web Page Ruth's Web Page Ruth's Web Page