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By Allison Miller Jan Brown would lead people to believe that she is a relatively happy 24-year-old. Underneath the mask of happiness, Jan (not her real name) suffers from many health problems as a result of stress in her life. Brown is not alone in her battle with stress. Stress Directions, an online medical publishing company, estimates that more than 50 percent of adult Americans suffer from a variety of health problems as a result of stress. They also estimate that stress is linked to the six main causes of death: heart disease, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. Other illnesses related to stress include mental illness, cold, flu, etc. What is Stress? The book, Managing Stress, Principles and Strategies for Health and Wellbeing defines stress as "the experience of a perceived personal threat to mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well being resulting from a series of physiological responses and adaptations." Linda Roberts, a family nurse practitioner at the Utah State University Health Center adds, "Stress is the defense that breaks down the barriers of the immune system making bodies more susceptible to disease and viral infections." Stress is also the biological response to unusual demands. The Transport Union of America (TWU) says, "It is the survival mechanism that allows the body to react quickly and release extra energy to fight off danger or to run away. It is often referred to as the "fight or flight" reaction." In Jan Brown's case the cause of stress affects her body immensely. During the age of six and seven she would have periods of extreme sadness and could not be left alone. "At the age of 12 I was diagnosed with chronic depression," said Brown. What Causes Stress? High demands and adding little control and inadequate social support are what Linda Roberts calls a stress lifestyle. "A stress lifestyle is fast-paced and making a lot of decisions. Some people are better than others about handling stress," said Brown. Stress combined with a bad physical environment (e.g., inadequate ventilation, poor lighting, excessive noise, or badly designed work stations) can also affect how high or low the stress is. Physical symptoms are prominent. Chronic headaches, gastrointestinal problems, lower back pain, insomnia and rapid loss or gain of weight are frequently reported by stressed individuals. Remaining in these environments individuals may experience serious illness, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, colitis and frequent colds. Different types of Stress On stressdirections.com it lists the four major types of stress: --Episodic acute stress is more serious and can lead to migraines, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, anxiety, depression, serious gastrointestinal distress. It's quite treatable, but it takes general lifestyle readjustments, four to six months, and often requires professional help. --Chronic stress is the most serious of all. It's the stress that never ends. It grinds us down until our resistance is gone. Serious systemic illness such as diabetes, decreased immunocompetence, perhaps cancer is its hallmark. It can be treated, even reversed, but it takes time -- sometimes two to three years -- and often requires professional help. --Traumatic stress is the result of massive acute stress, the effects of which can reverberate through our systems for years. Post traumatic stress disorder is treatable and reversible and usually requires professional aid. How to handle stress For Jan Brown managing stress is the most difficult thing to do. "I avoid large crowds because I can get panic attacks and will literally pass out. I worry about even the littlest things," said Brown, "and if I over-exert myself I will become physically sick." The best thing in dealing with stress is to eat healthy and exercise. What needs to be known though is that stress affects each of us differently. Stress is manageable, workable and reversible. Also, having a good support system will also help get through the hard times. Brown adds, "The best way to handle stress is to learn to deal with it everyday. I have a group that I can really talk to. Through the experiences I have had and sharing them with others, so they no they aren't alone is another strategy of coping."
Helpful links: American Psychological Association NW
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