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Health & Fitness

Are there different kinds of stress?

This is a frequently asked question.  As I often talk about, stress can impact you in a variety of ways.  We all recognize certain aspects of stress.  When you have a deadline at work at the same time that you have to leave because your child is sick and on the way you have a fender bender.  We recognize the symptoms.  Acute stress. 

Emotional distress--some combination of anger or irritability, anxiety, and depression.  These are the emotions of stress. 

Muscular distress-- tension headache, back pain, jaw pain, and the muscular tensions that lead to pulled muscles and tendon and ligament problems;

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Transient over arousal-- elevation in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, heart palpitations, dizziness, migraine headaches, cold hands or feet, shortness of breath, and chest pain. 

Because these symptoms are recognized by most people, as well as being non-chronic in response to situations that are not permanent.  The damage to your physical being in minimal and repairable. 

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We have to recognize here Acute Eustress as well.  This occurs when we all of sudden are feeling very good.  Many of the same symptoms occur in the transient over arousal category.  We are producing Dopamine and Oxytocin.  These are the “feel good” hormones.  However, as all, it is not a sustainable stress.

To go a step further, there are many people who suffer from Episodic Acute stress. The episodes are acute stress happen very frequently.  They are the people who are always rushing but are never on time.  You know, “if something can go wrong, it does.”  Those suffering from Episodic Acute stress are often irritable and will describe themselves as have a lot of nervous energy.  They can be abrupt, irritable, anxious, and tense.  We also see the symptoms of Episodic Acute stress in “worry warts.”  “The world is a dangerous place where anything can and probably will, happen.” 

The symptoms of Episodic Acute stress can include:  extended over arousal: persistent tension headaches, migraines, hypertension, chest pain, and heart disease.  This is where we start to see the need for professional help.  Behaviors that lead to this form of stress are usually ingrained and habitual.  Working with a professional helps to achieve lifestyle change that often are believed to be un-needed or un-wanted initially.  Help is usually sought after the advice of a doctor or due to physical symptoms.

Chronic stress:  is the most dangerous of all.  It is when an individual cannot see a way out of a situation, an inability to get out of a bad job or a bad relationship.  It is chronic because people “get used” to it.  They stop searching for a way out, a way to feel better.  The physical, emotional damage eventually caused by this stress wreaks havoc on lives, bodies, and minds.  It is a constant grinding down and wearing away of all that a person cares about.  This is really where help kicks in.  If you able to recognize that this may be your life, then changes can be made.

Chronic stress is a leading cause in inflammatory diseases.  Some cancers, fibromyalgia, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, substance/alcohol abuse.  It is also a leading cause for relationship breakdown and broken families.

Do you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself?  Take a few minutes to go through a self-checklist.  Sometimes all it takes is a light bulb moment.  But that light bulb moment might actually save your life, your health, or your family.

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