StressStress

Health psychologyHealth psychology the field of the field of psychology that uses psychological psychology that uses psychological principles to encourage healthy life-principles to encourage healthy life-styles and to minimize impact of styles and to minimize impact of physical illness.physical illness.

StressStress - any event that exceeds an - any event that exceeds an individual ability to cope.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 - Frustration - the result of being unable the result of being unable to satisfy the motiveto satisfy the motive

The social readjustment rating scaleThe social readjustment rating scale

1. Death of a spouse1. Death of a spouse 100100

2. Divorce2. Divorce 73733. Marital Separation3. Marital Separation 65654. Jail term4. Jail term 63635. Death of a close family member5. Death of a close family member

63636. Personal injury or illness6. Personal injury or illness 53537. Marriage7. Marriage 50508. Fired at work8. Fired at work 47479. Marital reconciliation9. Marital reconciliation 454510. Retirement10. Retirement 454511. Change in health of family member11. Change in health of family member 444412. Pregnancy12. Pregnancy 404013. Sex difficulties13. Sex difficulties 393914. Gain of a new family member14. Gain of a new family member 393915. Business readjustments15. Business readjustments 393916. Change in financial state16. Change in financial state 383817. Death of a close friend17. Death of a close friend 373718. Change to different line of work18. Change to different line of work 363619. Change in no. of arguments with spouse19. Change in no. of arguments with spouse

353520. Mortgage over $ 50,00020. Mortgage over $ 50,000 313121. Foreclosure of mortgage21. Foreclosure of mortgage 303022. Change in responsibilities at work22. Change in responsibilities at work 292923. Son or daughter leaving home23. Son or daughter leaving home 292924. Trouble with in-laws24. Trouble with in-laws 292925. Outstanding Personal achievements25. Outstanding Personal achievements 2828

26. Wife begins or stops work26. Wife begins or stops work 262627. Begin or end school27. Begin or end school 262628. Change in living conditions28. Change in living conditions 252529. Revision of personal habits 29. Revision of personal habits 242430. Trouble with boss30. Trouble with boss 232331. Change in work hours or conditions31. Change in work hours or conditions 202032. Change in residence32. Change in residence 202033. Change in school33. Change in school 202034. Change in recreation34. Change in recreation 191935. Change in religious activities35. Change in religious activities 191936. Change in social activities36. Change in social activities 181838. Change in sleeping habits38. Change in sleeping habits 161639. Change in no. of family get- together39. Change in no. of family get- together 151540. Change in eating habits40. Change in eating habits 151541. Vacation41. Vacation 131342. Holidays42. Holidays 121243. Minor violation of laws43. Minor violation of laws 1111 SCORINGSCORINGEach event should be considered if it has taken Each event should be considered if it has taken

place in the last 12 months. Adplace in the last 12 months. Ad values to values to the right of each item to obtain the total the right of each item to obtain the total score. Your susceptibility to illness and score. Your susceptibility to illness and mental health problems:mental health problems:

LowLow < 149< 149 MildMild = 150-200= 150-200 ModerateModerate = 200-299= 200-299 MajorMajor >300>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 tractWhen 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 systemThe 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 systemThe 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 effectSome 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 symptomsCardiovascular 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.

GASGAS

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

alarm reaction resistance exhaustion

BurnoutBurnout

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