Key Points Defining Stress Causes of Stress 3 Symptoms of Distress

stress
physical and
psychological responses
to the pressures of daily
life
Introduction to Stress Management
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Causes of Stress
The most frequent reasons for “stressing out” fall into three main categories:
1.
The unsettling effects of change
2.
The feeling that an outside force is challenging or threatening you
3.
The feeling that you have lost personal control.
Life events such as marriage, changing jobs, divorce, or the death of a relative or friend
are the most common causes of stress. Although life-threatening events are less common,
they can be the most physiologically and psychologically acute. They are usually associated
with public service career fields in which people experience intense stress levels because
of imminent danger and a high degree of uncertainty—police officer, fire and rescue worker,
emergency relief worker, and the military.
You may not plan to enter a high-stress career, but as a college student, you may find
that the demands of college life can create stressful situations. The National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH) notes some of the more common stressors for college students:
•
Increased academic demands 
•
Being on your own in a new environment
•
Changes in family relations
•
Financial responsibilities
•
Changes in your social life
•
Exposure to new people, ideas, and temptations
•
Awareness of your sexual identity and orientation
•
Preparing for life after graduation.
Symptoms of Distress
Symptoms of stress fall into three general, but interrelated, categories—physical, mental,
and emotional. Review this list carefully. If you find yourself frequently experiencing
these symptoms, you are likely feeling distressed:
•
Headaches 
•
Fatigue 
•
Gastrointestinal problems 
•
Hypertension (high blood pressure) 
•
Heart problems, such as palpitations
•
Inability to focus/lack of concentration 
•
Sleep disturbances, whether it’s sleeping too much or an inability to sleep 
•
Sweating palms/shaking hands 
•
Anxiety 
•
Sexual problems.
Even when you don’t realize it, stress can cause or contribute to serious physical
disorders. It increases hormones such as adrenaline and corticosterone, which affect your
metabolism, immune reactions, and other stress responses. That can lead to increases in
your heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and physical demands on your internal organs.
Behavioral changes are also expressions of stress. They can include:
•
Irritability 
•
Disruptive eating patterns (overeating or under eating) 
•
Harsh treatment of others 
•
Increased smoking or alcohol consumption