Questions About Stress

Fredric Friedman, EdD, of Lifespan's division of behavioral and preventive medicine, answers questions about stress.

Is stress today different than stress faced in the past?
Every age has its stressors. Stress is your body's physical, chemical, or emotional reaction to something that threatens, excites, irritates or endangers you. The Life Events Stress Rating Scale was revised and shows that people in the 1990's rated the same life events 45 percent more stressful than people did in the 1960's.

What's the difference between good stress and bad stress?
Stress is like a rubber band. With no tension on the band, it doesn't function at all. With too much tension, it breaks. When taut for a long time, it loses its elasticity. With the right amount of tension and it does just what it was designed to do. Stress is based on an individual's perception. When our stress reactions help us get things done with a sense accomplishment, it's good stress. When those reactions immobilize us, it's bad stress.
How can one recognize the symptoms of stress?
Again, we are all individuals and have our own particular reactions. For some people they are physiological, like a racing heart or an increase in blood pressure. For others, they are more behavioral, like sleep changes, nail biting or increased alcohol or drug use. For others, the reactions are more cognitive as in negative thoughts or trouble concentrating. We each have to learn our own signs.

How do you know if you're suffering from everyday stress, or a disorder like anxiety or depression?
There are symptoms that might indicate your are in stress overload. Many of these symptoms are the same as those of anxiety and depression. If the stressor is not identifiable, it may be anxiety or depression, which are not reactions to something specific.

What are some techniques to handle stress?
Have an approach to balance the stressors in your life and reduce the effects of your stress reactions. Healthy lifestyle habits like eating well, regular exercise, good sleep and avoiding alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, as well as having a sense of humor are helpful. Hobbies, listening to music, reading a book and meditation are also great ways to manage stress.

When should someone seek help for stress?
If you start having more bad days than good, find yourself thinking negatively most of the time and everything feels like a burden--get professional help.

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