Stress is more dangerous than you think. Treat it before it undermines you.

Over the past few years, the whole world has faced the Covid-19 pandemic and a string of conditions indicated by economic volatility and severe disruptions to daily life. Naturally, our stress levels have heightened, affecting our lives from top to bottom. So understanding and knowing how to deal with stress has never been more important in our daily struggles to maintain our mental health.

Getting to know stress

“Stress disorder” refers to our struggles to cope with stressful events that elicit a range of physical and mental responses. The body secretes neurotransmitters that cause it to respond with a “fight-or-flight” instinct manifesting in rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, muscle contraction and heightened blood pressure. Those suffering from stress tend to feel anxious, distracted and paranoid in triggering situations. They may also have nightmares. Symptoms usually last about a month. If they haven’t abated by then, it may be post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. 

Stress symptoms

Stress sufferers usually develop symptoms immediately after a stressful encounter. The symptoms generally fall under four categories:

1.        Low stress – Feeling bored, slow responses, lack of motivation.

2.        Moderate stress – Moodiness, anxiousness and moroseness. This is still normal stress and certain activities can be taken up as aids to relaxation.

3.        High stress – An extreme event causes emotional, mental and behavioral distortions such as irritability, stomach pain, insomnia, and others.

4.        Severe stress – Disorders and diseases including mental illness and impairments to daily life are indicated. It is time to see a doctor.

Effects of stress in terms of feelings and behaviors

Stress generally starts as part of everyday life and accumulates until it manifests in various forms, including:

Physical changes

o   Muscle contractions causing back pain, neck pain and other muscle and tendon problems.

o   The body becomes over active with high blood pressure, quickened heartbeat, palpitations, cold hands and feet, sweaty palms, dizziness, migraine, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

o   Tiredness and reduced sex drive.

o   Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal problems.

o   Having trouble sleeping, nightmares, insomnia and sleep deprivation.

o   Hair loss.

o   Eyelid twitching.

Mood changes

o   Anxious, distracted.

o   Always feeling pressured and waking up easier than usual.

o   Lack of concentration and lack of motivation to do things they usually like to do.

o   Feeling depressed and lonely.

o   Sudden mood swings.

Behavioural changes

o   Eating more or less than usual.

o   Easily angered and irritable, prone to violence.

o   Smoking or using narcotics.

o   Dissociative – doesn’t socialize, doesn’t care about their surroundings.

o   Being less active physically and mentally.

o   Dizziness, forgetfulness, being unaware or unconscious of one’s own existence, short attention span.

Treatment and prevention

o   Observe physical and mental conditions to gauge if they differ from normal.

o   Change perspective to try to understand things and enhance positive responses triggered by anything that happens.

o   Practice communication skills. Tell people close to you such as co-workers about your needs and feelings.

o   Adjust your surroundings to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

o   Find activities that distract attention and relieve stress

o   If you can't manage the stress, consult your doctor for an assessment of the level of your symptoms and appropriate treatment.

Every human being has different coping and managing tolerances. Mental strength is the key to physical energy. Always exploring and taking care of your own mind is the most important thing in helping you live happily and productively.

Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance customers can check their mental health online for free. For more information, please visit: https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/MindHealth

References

·       Bumrungrad Hospital
https://www.bumrungrad.com/th/conditions/stress

·       Paolo Hospital
https://bit.ly/3LwROCn

·       Petcharavej Hospital
https://bit.ly/3qKJcQT

·       Pobpad website
https://bit.ly/3LwROCn