Transcript Division of Youth Corrections

Stress and Stress
Management
Radwan BaniMustafa MD.
Jordan university
Introduction

Stress is one of the most overworked terms
in vocabulary. Its invoked to account for most
of the ills of modern life ,from truancy and
crime to divorce and disease .this
proliferation has devalued the concept ,and
all too easy to provide ready explanations of
complex behavioral, social, or psychophysiological phenomena in terms of stress .
The Concept of stress


There is considerable disagreement about the
definition of stress .
Hans selye, the founder of modern stress
research, defined stress in response terms
“physiological activation characterized by the
release of corticosteroids through stimulation
of the pituitary-hypothalamic - adrenocortical
axis .emphasized that stress response was
non-specific .universal defensive adaptation .
Continued…
Selye ,described this cascade of responses as
The general adaptation syndrome , to
describe the physiological process by which
the organism respond to stressors and
attempts to re-establish homeostasis .
 The syndrome consists of 3 phases :
- Alarm phase resistance is reduced ,
- Resistance phase, adaptation, increased
resistance.
- Exhaustion phase, depletion of resist., death.

Continued …



Selye’s model has been criticized .
Contemporary theorists tend to favor
transactional definitions, in which stress may
arise from certain interactions between
organism and environment, is the result of an
imbalance between the perceived demands
on people and their perceived capabilities .
This definition emphasizes the crucial role of
individual differences .
What Stresses You Out?



Money/bills
Traffic
Job related stress:
–
–
–
–
–



Work Load
overcrowding
lack of support
lack of on the job training
Audit Team :-)
Health/Medical issues
Lack of Free time
Relationships
– family & friends
Psychobiological response
patterns
Multi-faceted and variable.
 Organized through 2 pathways:
-- The sympathetic NS ,stimulation Of adrenal medulla
and catecholamine secretion .
--The pituitary-adrenocortical axis, which promotes
release of minerlocorticoids and glucocorticoids which
have significant functions “fluid balance, kidney
functions, anti-inflammatory, free fatty acid
production.
 Under severe prolonged stress, lymphocytes
proliferation, natural killer cells activity, and salivary
immunoglobulins are suppressed .

What can Stress lead to?







Low productivity
Anger/frustration
Work related injuries
Lack of concentration
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Depression
How you handle stress can mean the difference
between being happy and productive ... or
frustrated and anxious.
Factors moderating stress
responses








Intensity and chronicity .
Predictability .
Novelty .
Control Over stress .
Coping resources .
Personality .
Prior experience .
Social support .
Recognizing Stress

The following are indicators that you
may be encountering stress:










General irritability
Elevated heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Anxiety-anxious feeling for no specific
reason
Trembling
Insomnia
Headaches
Indigestion
Pain in neck and/ or lower back
Changes in appetite or sleep pattern
Managing Stress

Stress is a process that builds and builds until you
feel like you are going to explode. It is more
effective to intervene early in the process rather
than later. Try to become aware of the signs that
suggest the process has begun.
Time and Stress

Identify & eliminate your
personal “time-wasters”

Set long-range goals and
daily priorities
– Identify your number-one
priority and get it done first

Say "no" when/if necessary

Ask for help when/if
necessary
Health and Stress
 Experts
argue that maintaining
a regular exercise routine and
healthy diet is your best
defense against stress.
Try to fit (at least) 20 minutes of
aerobic activity into your
schedule three to four days a
week.
Eat well-balanced meals, more
whole grains, nuts, fruits and
vegetables.
Try to get at least 7 hours of
sleep each night.
Help with Stress



There are a wide variety of
books, magazines, tapes and
videos on the market to help
you learn to deal with stress.
Several web sites are also now
available to help you cope with
everyday stress.
If necessary, you may also
want to consider getting
medical advice from your
Doctor.
The End