Stress

Health psychology the field of psychology that uses psychological principles to encourage healthy life-styles and to minimize impact of physical illness. Health psychology the field of psychology that uses psychological principles to encourage healthy life-styles and to minimize impact of physical illness. Stress - any event that exceeds an individual ability to cope. Stress - any event that exceeds an individual ability to cope. When the demands and pressures placed on managers do not match the resources available, or do not meet the individual’s needs and motivations, stress can occur and endanger that person’s health and well/being. In the short term,stress can be debilitating; in the long term, stress can kill. Frustration - the result of being unable to satisfy the motive Frustration - the result of being unable to satisfy the motive

The social readjustment rating scale 1. Death of a spouse Divorce73 3. Marital Separation Jail term Death of a close family member63 6. Personal injury or illness53 7. Marriage50 8. Fired at work47 9. Marital reconciliation Retirement Change in health of family member Pregnancy Sex difficulties Gain of a new family member Business readjustments Change in financial state Death of a close friend Change to different line of work Change in no. of arguments with spouse Mortgage over $ 50, Foreclosure of mortgage Change in responsibilities at work Son or daughter leaving home Trouble with in-laws Outstanding Personal achievements Wife begins or stops work Begin or end school Change in living conditions Revision of personal habits Trouble with boss Change in work hours or conditions Change in residence Change in school Change in recreation Change in religious activities Change in social activities Change in sleeping habits Change in no. of family get- together Change in eating habits Vacation Holidays Minor violation of laws11 SCORING SCORING Each event should be considered if it has taken place in the last 12 months. Ad values to the right of each item to obtain the total score. Your susceptibility to illness and mental health problems: Low < 149 Low < 149 Mild = Mild = Moderate = Moderate = Major >300 Major >300

Effect of stress on the body Well-documented effects that have been clearly related to four physiological systems that are particularly vulnerable to stress: the cardiovascular system (heart and blood circulation system) the endocrine system ( the hormone system) the gastrointestinal system (digestive system) the immune system (the body’s defence system) The body reacts to stress in the first instance by invoking the flight or fight response. This reaction was very useful to our ancestors- enabling a quick response. to threatening situations. But in today’s it is often impossible for people to fight stress or run away.

Disorder of the digestive tract When individuals are under stress, the stomach increases production of hydrochloric acid, which can cause inflammation and eventually lead to sores, or the ulcers on the lining of the digestive tract. It has also been suggested that intense stress levels over a long period of time, can increase the risk of developing conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. Disorder of the digestive system including stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite and haemorrhoids, can also be caused. Effect on the hormone system The endocrine system produces chemical messengers or hormones which have an effect on almost every organ in the body. Stress can cause both over production and under production of several major components of the endocrine system, which in turn affect the major organs including the heart, lungs and brain, as well as the immune system, which is responsible for the body’s defence against disease. Hormones can also affect sleep patterns and induce changes in behaviour. Damaged defence system The immune system cares after the defence of the body against disease. People under stress suffer more minor illnesses such as colds and coughs, and may also be at greater risk of developing cancer. It appears that stress can alter the effectiveness of the immune system, and in some circumstances reduce its ability to defend against external infective agents. Stress can also worsen existing conditions such as asthma, dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Psychological effect Some of the ways in which people try to cope with stress can cause ill-health.Stress is often expressed by the increased consumption of caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs such as tranquillisers. People under stress can become irritable, withdrawn, appear irrational, aggressive or even violent. This altered behaviour can also impact on relationships inside and outside work. Managers in high-stress occupations are more likely to suffer breakdown of relationships, family break-up and divorce.

Cardiovascular symptoms Circulating cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the coronary ones that supply the heart. This leads to accumulation of cholesterol-laden "plaque" in vessel lining, the heart muscle becomes starved for oxygen, causing chest pain (angina). If it completely obstructs a coronary artery affected atherosclerosis, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or death can occur. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, claims a life every 33 seconds.

GAS Acording to Hans SELYE (1976), the mobilization of the body under stress is characterized by a three stage pattern of alarm reaction resistance exhaustion

Burnout Stress is certainly the primary cause of the condition which has come to be known as “burn-out”. The three main components of burn-out are: emotional exhaustion manifesting as tiredness, irritability, accident proneness, depression and excessive alcohol consumption. “depersonalisation” - treating other people as if they were objects. reduced productiveness accompanied by feelings of low achievement. Burn out can occur when mechanisms adopted by individuals for coping with stress eventually impair that person’s normal functioning. In the most stressful occupations, in particular in health-care work, levels of suicide are alarmingly high.

Factors affecting vulnerability to stress There are several factors which influence physical and psychological well-being, and these factors are interactive. 1. Physical well-being – –Healthy diet – –Avoiding alcohol, smoking and drugs, no excesses – –Regular of exercise 4. Emotional well-being – –Relaxation and enjoyment – –Balance between home and work – –Self-understanding and acceptance – –Saqtisfactory and trustworthy relationships, acceptance of others as they are especially acceptance of family members