MENTAL HEALTH: Stress and Stressors Ms. Mai Lawndale High School

What Is Stress? Stress is your body ’ s response to physical or mental demands or pressures The demands that cause stress are called stressors Some physical stressors might include hunger, thirst, cold, fatigue from work Some mental stressors might include arguments with others or death of someone

Body’s Reaction to Stress Your body produces a physical response to stressors in your life These can include increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, or the release of hormones Many things can cause you stress (teachers, parents, grades, jobs), but it is how you deal with stress that makes the difference

Positive and Negative Stress Stress can have a positive or negative influence on your life Positive uses of stress are called eustress You can learn to use stress to your advantage depending upon how you deal with it Negative uses of stress are called distress Examples?

Response to Stress People respond to stress differently Emotional SignsPhysical Signs IrritabilityPounding Heart Aggressive BehaviorTrembling Feeling Easily StartledGrinding of Teeth Nervous LaughterExcessive Perspiration Trouble SleepingAching Neck and Back Over or Under eatingFrequent Colds Accident ProneCold Hands or Feet

3 Stages of Stress In studies of stress, your body typically adapts to a stressor through a set pattern of physical reaction There are usually 3 stages of stress 1. Alarm Stage 2. Resistance Stage 3. Exhaustion Stage

1. Alarm Stage Quick physical warning When you feel fear, you release adrenaline (aka epinephrine) that causes a rush of energy in times of excitement Your heart rate and breathing speed up, and blood rushes all over your body

2. Resistance Stage Your body then chooses to fight the stress, or flee from it During this stage, your body works to resist a threatening stressor You also begin to cope (deal with a problem) by using humor or denial

3. Exhaustion Stage Your body ’ s defenses against stress are used up because you have been stressed too long You are unable to fight or resist the stress, and have a greater chance of becoming ill

Common Stressors Mental and physical stress can accumulate and destroy your health There are 4 main types of stressors 1. Life Changes 2. Traumatic Events 3. Conflicts 4. Daily Hassles

1. Life Changes There are different levels of stress and they can have different effects on your life The measure of the amount of stress on your life is called a life change unit There can be positive or negative stress, and physical or mental stress

Ranking of Stressors (LCD = Life Change Unit) Life EventLCU Getting Married101 Being Pregnant (f) 92 Death of Parent87 Parent ’ s Divorce 77 Being Pregnant (m) 77 Alcohol/Drugs76 Parents Remarry 63 Death of Friend62 New School56 Life EventLCU Failing a Class56 No EC Activity55 Breaking Up51 Start to Date51 Suspended50 Argue w/ Parents 47 College Accept.43 Begin High School 42 Grandparent Die36

2. Traumatic Events Earthquakes, floods, fires, or serious accidents can all cause stress Survivors of traumatic events often go through post-traumatic stress disorder Some symptoms include loss of interest in former friends, extreme anxiety, and reliving memories of the event This disorder may develop immediately, or months/years after the experience

3. Conflicts Internal conflicts cause stress because they require a person to make a choice between two or more options Each time you face a decision, you could be faced with stress The amount of stress is related to the importance you put on the decision

4. Daily Hassles Your everyday interactions with the world around you may be more stressful than major life events For example, arguments with family, transportation problems, losing your homework, being late to class, etc. Although these may not be as important as major life events, the accumulation of daily hassles can still have a serious impact

Special Populations and Stress Your group characteristics (age, where you live, family income, ethnic background) sometimes plays a role in which stressors are more important Urban Areas – violence and crime Rural Areas – money and weather Low Income Family - $$$ Young Age – dating Old Age – dying Race – lots of them

Hardy Personality Some people are able to withstand extreme distress and still remain healthy People who view change as challenging and an opportunity to grow have “ hardy personalities ” They are not overwhelmed with inevitable change changes in their lives and are committed to their activities

In Conclusion…. Having control over your life can help you handle stress You can deal with overwhelming stress more effectively by Being open to change 2. Being committed to activities 3. Having control of your actions

In Your Wellness Journal… STRESSORS List twenty physical or emotional things that currently stress you out. Rank them in order. Describe the top 3 stressors and why they are important to you.