This paper seeks to analyze stress as an abnormal bodily response to external or internal actions that may require the use of extra energy. It first gives a brief definition of stress, then the use of the several stresses, and the signs or symptoms of stress in a person. It also gives its short term and long term effects. This paper finally gives a conclusion which is a summary of the writer’s opinion on how stress can be managed. Stress can be defined as a distracted body’s reaction to such actions and events that are either threatening or upsetting to ones’ balance in any way.
It can be referred to as a condition or a circumstance that disturbs the normal mental and physical health of an individual. It is a normal thing for people to suffer from stress. Relating with people will always claim physical and mental problems. Other valid causes of stress are pressure for beating datelines in work places, tensions in growing up especially for the adolescent and the many demands of life accompanied by limited resources. The human body is naturally wired in a way that can respond to stress.
It was initially meant to protect one against supposed threats from either the internal or the external surrounding. Exposing an individual to a stressful situation as perceived by the brain, activates two systems: the sympatho-adreno-medullary and the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal, abbreviated as HPA. These two systems actually are the ones that set the body for an action to defend called the fight and flight response. It does so by the release of two stress hormones called cortisone and adrenaline. The two hormones raise the level of blood pressure and consequently the body gets ready to respond to the circumstance.
Now with an actual action of defense called flight action, the stress hormones in the blood get consumed leading to a reduction in the effects of stress and the signs of anxiety. In a case where flight response fails, the hormones and other responsible chemicals do not get into the blood stream for some time. This definitely gives rise to physical signs and symptoms of stress. These include dizziness, anxiety, and rapid heart beats. Stresses, if not released will leave the body and mind in a state of preparing to fight and flee.
This affects in individuals life in one way or another (De Kloet and Oitzl 3). Causes of stress. Stress is caused by events and situations that try to cause hormonal imbalance, or disturb the functioning of homeostasis. The causes of stress are generally known as stressors. Stressors are classified into two categories: (i) external stressor which include the surrounding or the physical environment of individual, events in life that one has no control over them and the way an individual socially interact with other people.
(ii) The internal causes of stress include the kind of lifestyle that one chooses to live, and the mind; thinking negatively and over-analysis among other things. Personality traits are also another internal cause of stressing addition to this, it is of importance to know that the contribution of emotional factors such as quilt, habits that are self-destructive, pain arising from past hurts and unresolved issues of relationships may as well be a constant stressor (cause of stress) until they are dealt with by the affected person ((Davis and Eshelman 7).
Symptoms of stress can be broadly classified as either short term or long term symptoms as below: (a) Short term symptoms which are the symptoms that can be seen immediately and at a time when the person is undergoing a stressful situation or suffering from stress. They do not last for a very long time. In fact, they disappear immediately the person is relieved. These short term symptoms of stress are: faster heart beat and rapid breathing, anxiety, irritability, dry mouth, diarrhea, feeling nausea, increased sweating, cool skin, cold hands and feet and tensed muscles.
(b) Long term physical symptoms of stress: these are the somehow permanent symptoms that do not disappear immediately after the person gets out of the stressing issue. An example of the major issues that always lead to long term symptoms is a person whose most beloved has died. These symptoms include; appetite changes as well as having digestion problems, seizures, having problems of the heart, feeling tired, suffering from frequent colds, headaches, asthma, sexual disorders, skin eruptions, aches and pains.
Both the long term symptoms and the short term symptoms can either be in any of the following categories: Cognitive Symptoms: An individual develops problems in recognizing and identification as a result of having memory problems, lack of concentration, poor judgment, having negativity, anxiety or racing thoughts, constant worrying, and inattentiveness to details.
Emotional Symptoms which is the effect of stress on an individuals normal emotions and includes being so moody, getting irritated so easily or being short tempered, disturbance, restlessness, having a feeling of overwhelmness, feeling lonely and isolated, depression and general unhappiness. Physical Symptoms are the changes in the general appearance of the individual and include pains, digestion problems, unusual vomiting, feeling sleepy all the time, having chest pains, speedy heartbeats and loss of sex drive.
Behavioral Symptoms come out as a change in behavior and an individual’s behavior deviate from the normal. These signs include either increased or decreased appetite making one to eat excess or very little food; abnormal sleeping where one can be sleeping for too long or can completely lack sleep, isolation from the others, being so negligible and does not finish up duties. Nervous habits and the use of drugs and drug abuse are also other behavioral symptom of stress.