WHEN STRESS IS NOT NORMAL

Mary Gosche, Human Development Specialist, University Outreach & Extension

Everyone has stress, and a moderate amount of stress is normal. A stressor is any demand on your body or your mind. Stressors can be unpleasant or pleasant experiences like a family reunion, the holidays, or exercise. Situations that are considered stressful for one person may have little effect on another person.

Let's imagine taking a nice walk on a beautiful fall day. You are enjoying the fresh air and the colors of fall. Suddenly, a big, angry dog is running toward you. How do you react? Most likely, you will turn and run from the dog. Whenever people are faced with emergencies like this, the body turns on its alarm reaction, called the fight-or-flight syndrome. The adrenal glands give off a large amount of adrenaline, the heart rate increases, and small veins and arteries constrict to prevent the loss of blood. Once the emergency is dealt with, the nervous system kicks in and calms the fight-or-flight response.

Stress is also like a powerful medicine. The right amount of medicine or stress will help you meet deadlines and be productive.

Too much medicine or stress, however, can burn you out or make you unable to perform normal activities. Too little medicine or stress doesn't do your body any good and may even prevent you from getting out of bed in the morning.

Pay attention to how you currently react to life's events. Stress can build up without you realizing it. The pile-up effects of everyday hassles can become very harmful to your mental and physical health if you aren't managing them effectively. So what are the signs of stress that are not normal?

Warning Signs of Clinical Depression:

~ Sleep problems (early morning wakening, difficulty getting to sleep, sleeping too much)
~ Lack of energy and feeling tired all the time· Problems with eating (no appetite or weight loss or gain)
~ Loss of interest in normal activities
~ Frequent crying bouts
~ Feelings of emptiness, ongoing sadness or anxiety
~ Aches and pains that don't go away
~ Difficulty with memory, concentration, or decision making
~ Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, or future looking grim
~ Irritability
~ Thoughts of death or suicide

IF YOU SEE YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE IN THE ABOVE LIST, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR LOVED ONE. Call a local counseling center for an immediate appointment.

To help deal with everyday stress try some of the following coping strategies: exercising, keeping a sense of humor, eating a healthy diet, talking to a friend, and saying "no" to demands when possible.