1. Stress Management for family members
Loria Hubbard Richardson
Tri-Cities Autism Conference
Saturday, March 12, 2016

2. Stress Management What is stress? Your stress triggers
How you feel when you are stressed
Preventing stress
Coping with stress
Extreme stress
Resources

3. American Psychiatric Association Stress Definition
A reaction to a short-lived situation, such as being
stuck in traffic.
Can become dangerous when it interferes with your
ability to live a normal life over an extended period.
You may feel tired, unable to concentrate or
irritable.
Stress can damage your physical health

4. Defining Stress
Merriam-Webster: a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc. Something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety
Inability to cope with life challenges or difficulties
Having too many things to do
Jitteriness
Out of control
Panic
Wound up

5. Stress Case Study Jane is having a stressful time.
Stress is what you feel when you are worried or uncomfortable about something.
Jane’s child just started a new school year at a new school. After one week, Nick has a melt down every time she takes him to school. Jane took him to the doctor. He is not sick. She talked with his teachers and none of them can figure out what is going on with Nick. Jane is concerned because Nick is getting behind at school. She does not know what to do.
Jane is having a stressful time.

6. Triggers Being physically or emotionally hurt Being in a noisy place
Feeling embarrassed
Forgetting something important
Getting a new job, supervisor or co-worker
Flip Chart; Tool Sheets

7. In the Very Beginning What it Feels and Looks Like
Cannot focus
Confused
Feel grumpy
Feel restless
Sweaty palms
Want to hide

8. In the Middle – How Stress Looks and Feels
Can only to seem to think of negative thoughts
Feeling overly emotionally sensitive
Impatient with yourself and others
Very short temper

9. Preventing Stress Be patient with yourself
Know a few people you can trust to listen
Remember what upset you before
Plan for fun
Take care of you
Take time for a chill
Positive self talk
Talk about your feelings or write them down

10. Coping With Stress Identify a specific “safe person” Listen to music
Take a short walk – or other break take some slow deep breaths: 5 – 3 – 5
Talk to someone you trust
Tell yourself how great you are
Write about your feelings
Remember tough times don’t last forever
Success story.

11. Extreme Stress - CRISIS
When things get REALLY bad, . . .
Difficulty sleeping for several nights
Feel like your mind is playing tricks on you
Not interested in things you like to do for several days in a row
Spending a lot of time alone
Thinking of hurting yourself or someone else
. . . Ask for help

12. Remember to . . .
Be proud and celebrate when you overcome a stressful time or event
Brag to your “safe person”
Tell yourself you are great

13. Resources
Stress tip sheet (american psychiatric association):
Stress management (help guide):
Crisis help line: 800/
National suicide prevention lifeline
800/

14. Questions/discussion
Treva Maitland
Lead Project Specialist: West Half of TN
731/
Loria Hubbard Richardson
Lead Project Specialist; East Half of TN
615/
Pat Edmiston
Director of Advocacy, Education and Awareness
901/ or
The Arc Tennessee empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to actively participate in the community throughout their lifetime.