What is "stress"? Psychological mechanisms of stress. Features of the course of stress in children

Stress A human condition characterized by nonspecific defensive reactions (at the physical, psychological and behavioral level) in response to extreme pathogenic stimuli (see Adaptation syndrome). Mental reaction to a traumatic situation. May cause the formation of suicidal behavior.

Brief explanatory psychological and psychiatric dictionary. Ed. igisheva. 2008.

Stress

(English stress - tension) -

1) “a nonspecific response of the body to any demand presented to it” (G. Selye);

2) nonspecific response, tension, reactivity of the body that occurs in humans and animals in response to the influence of stressors - significant in strength under the influence of extreme or pathological stimuli for the human or animal body;

4) a strong physiological or psychological reaction to the action of a stressor that is unfavorable for the body;

5) strong reactions of the body (both favorable and unfavorable).

The concept was introduced by the Canadian physiologist G. Selye (1936). In modern scientific literature, mainly the first and second meanings of the term are used - S.

Brief psychological dictionary. - Rostov-on-Don: “PHOENIX”. L.A. Karpenko, A.V. Petrovsky, M. G. Yaroshevsky. 1998 .

Stress

A concept introduced by G. Selye in 1936 to designate a wide range of states of mental stress caused by performing activities in particularly difficult conditions and arising in response to a variety of extreme influences - stressors. Initially, the concept arose in physiology to designate a nonspecific reaction of the body (“general adaptation syndrome”) in response to any adverse impact (H. Selye); later it began to be used to describe the states of an individual in extreme conditions at the physiological, psychological and behavioral levels.

Depending on the type of stressor and the nature of its influence, various types of stress are distinguished; in the most general classification - physiological stress and psychological stress. The latter is divided into informational stress and emotional stress.

Information stress occurs in situations of information overload, when the subject cannot cope with a task, does not have time to make the right decisions at the required pace - with high responsibility for the consequences of decisions.

Emotional stress appears in situations of threat, danger, resentment, etc. At the same time, its various forms - impulsive, inhibitory, generalized - lead to changes in the course of mental processes, emotional shifts, transformation of the motivational structure of activity, disorders of motor and speech behavior.

Depending on its severity, stress can have a positive, mobilizing, and negative effect on activity - distress, up to complete disorganization. Therefore, optimization of any type of activity should include a set of measures to prevent the causes of stress.

Dictionary of a practical psychologist. - M.: AST, Harvest. S. Yu. Golovin. 1998.

Stress Etymology.

Comes from English. stress - tension.

Caused by performing activities in particularly difficult conditions. Depending on its severity, stress can have both a positive and negative impact on activities (until it becomes completely disorganized). Stressful conditions can be caused, for example, by severe physical and mental trauma, blood loss, muscle strain, and infections.

Psychological Dictionary. THEM. Kondakov. 2000.

Stress

   STRESS (With. 569) is a concept so firmly rooted in our language that it seems to not even require explanation. Today we use this English word at every step when we complain about a difficult life and nervous overload. Everyone understands that stress is a nuisance and must be dealt with. However, stress is a much broader phenomenon than we imagine. This concept was introduced into use by the Canadian scientist Hans Selye. Back in 1936, he noticed that the body, in response to any environmental demand, reacts with tension (literally “stress” and means “tension”). In other words, stress is an expedient adaptive reaction that ensures adaptation to diverse living conditions. Therefore, if we are true to the original source, the problem of dealing with stress loses its positive meaning. Selye himself identified two types of stress - physiological (eustress) and pathological (). The latter occurs under the influence of excessive, unfavorable stimuli. It is in this meaning that this concept has become widespread in everyday speech and even in domestic scientific literature. As we see, a simple reference to the original source is enough to understand: such an interpretation is not entirely accurate.

From this point of view, the so-called emotional (psychological) stress requires an ambiguous assessment: depending on the strength, duration, positive or negative emotional reaction, it can proceed within normal limits or turn into a painful state.

American psychologists Holmes and Ray developed a scale of stressful situations, distributing important life events according to the degree of emotional stress they cause. The highest score (100) on this scale marks the death of a close relative. Next in descending order are divorce (75), imprisonment (63), serious illness (53), large debt (31)... Researchers believe that the accumulation of stress exceeding 300 points over the course of one year poses a serious threat to our mental health. and even physical well-being.

The paradox is that this scale also includes the following events: wedding (50), birth of a child (39), outstanding personal achievement (28), promotion (27), moving to a new place of residence (20) and even vacation ( 13)! Thus, if within a year you managed to graduate from university, find a job and new housing, get married, go on a honeymoon and have children, then your personal indicator of emotional stress begins to go off scale. The result is “inexplicable” irritation and loss of strength.

Scientists from the University of Innsbruck discovered something similar in their research. They studied the psychological well-being of vacationers coming from abroad to this famous mountain resort. It turned out that many people, temporarily freed from everyday worries, begin to suffer from mental problems, show a tendency towards melancholy and even aggression. Psychologists believe that most vacationers experience excessive psychological stress from encountering a new environment, foreign customs and language, as well as from a sudden change in lifestyle. It is useful to keep this in mind for those who dream of traveling around the world. Apparently, for peace of mind, it’s still better not to change your vacation location too often.

Thus, it becomes obvious that stress is an integral part of our lives. It is caused by any significant events - both upsetting and pleasant. And dealing with stress would mean not only trying to prevent potential failures, but also giving up personal achievements and everyday joys.

So what should we fight? Of course, only with pathological stress. After all, we often drive ourselves into a dead end, from where we can only get out with tangible emotional losses. These are the “dead ends” that should be avoided. There is no need to take on a job that is clearly beyond your capabilities, there is no need to borrow money if the debt will be very difficult to repay, there is no need to start a hasty affair if you cannot imagine all its consequences...

But no matter how hard we try, we cannot avoid all troubles. By the way, negative experiences are just as necessary in life as positive emotions. (As John Steinbeck said, “What good is warmth if the cold does not enhance its beauty?”). Any normal person sometimes experiences grief, disappointment, and anger. But to prevent these experiences from leading to pathological stress, we must try to overcome them. The simplest remedy is physical activity, even just a walk. But you shouldn’t “discharge” on others: most likely, your irritation will boomerang back to you. A change of activity helps, when positive emotions from some pleasant activity displace disappointment. True, trying to overcome strong stress with equally strong joy is fraught with danger. Thus, a student who goes with friends to a noisy disco after a grueling exam actually doubles his psychological stress and ends up feeling completely overwhelmed and empty.

The creator of the stress theory, Hans Selye, stated: “Stress is life.” As long as we are alive, we will constantly be happy and sad. Of course, we must be able to relax, but if emotional tension completely disappears from our life, it will mean that life is over.

Popular psychological encyclopedia. - M.: Eksmo. S.S. Stepanov. 2005.

Stress

There are several different definitions of stress:

As a stimulus: stress can be seen as a characteristic of the environment (lack of time, unhealthy work environment, etc.).

As a reaction: stress is seen as a state of mental tension that occurs in response to difficult circumstances.

Lack of balance in the relationship between a person and the environment (schodel of interaction for a stressful situation). A person experiences stress when the perceived demands of the environment become greater than the perceived ability to meet those demands.

Interaction model for a stressful situation

An important aspect of this model is the emphasis on perceived abilities and demands of the situation, rather than on actual demands and realities. There may well be a real gap between demands and abilities, but if a person is not aware of this, he does not experience stress. Stress has various consequences , including the following:

Behavioral effects: alcohol abuse, loss of appetite and fussiness.

Cognitive effects: Overreaction to criticism and inability to pay attention.

Physiological effects: increased blood pressure and blood glucose, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing.

Health problems: coronary insufficiency, stomach ulcers, headaches.

Organizational consequences: job dissatisfaction, poor coworker relationships, and absenteeism.

Psychology. A-Z. Dictionary reference / Transl. from English K. S. Tkachenko. - M.: FAIR PRESS. Mike Cordwell. 2000.

See what “stress” is in other dictionaries:

stress- stress, and [re] ... Russian word stress

stress- stress and... Russian spelling dictionary

stress- stress/... Morphemic-spelling dictionary

Stress- (from the English stress pressure, pressure, pressure; oppression; load; tension) a nonspecific (general) reaction of the body to an impact (physical or psychological) that disrupts its homeostasis, as well as the corresponding state of the nervous... ... Wikipedia

STRESS- (stress reaction) (English stress tension) a special state of the human and mammalian body that occurs in response to a strong external stimulus. In Russian, the term stress is also used to refer to the stimulus itself... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

stress- A; m. [from English. stress tension] A state of tension in the human or animal body as a defensive reaction to various unfavorable factors (cold, starvation, physical and mental trauma, etc.). ◁ Stressful, oh, oh. O state. WITH … Encyclopedic Dictionary

STRESS- in psychology and biology, any tension or obstacle to the functioning of the body. A person responds to physical or psychological stress with a combination of physical and psychological defense mechanisms. If the stress is too strong or protective... ... Philosophical Encyclopedia

In modern encyclopedias there are several interpretations of the currently popular concept of “stress”. And so, in psychology, stress is the body’s reaction (mental, physical, emotional, chemical) to everything that frightens, irritates or threatens it. The founder of the theory of stress, the Czech scientist Hans Selye, in the course of his research, came to the conclusion that stress can be called a nonspecific protective reaction of the body to unfavorable factors that disrupt its calm existence. This concept appeared in 1936. In its technical meaning, the term meant “pressure”, “tension”.

All these definitions clearly and simply create an idea of ​​this state. However, to understand what stress is, there is no need to look into encyclopedias - just look around.

In our fast-paced age, everyone is in a hurry, running somewhere, trying to do everything in time. Each of us develops our own specific ideas about the environment, needs are formed, and a system of requirements is developed. Inconsistencies between our ideas and reality give rise to dissatisfaction. It’s one thing when this dissatisfaction pushes for further development, self-improvement, and another when it causes aggression on the whole world, which has destroyed dreams of happiness.

Stress bursts into our lives in the parking lot, on minibuses, in quarrels with loved ones, on the “carpet” with the boss... This list can be continued indefinitely.

Can we live without stress? Science answers this unequivocally - no. Life does not tolerate stability, and it is precisely this that is the main source of stress.

Symptoms

• Memory impairment
• Inability to concentrate
• Constantly feeling tired
• Common mistakes
• Increased excitability
• Fast speech
• Increased anxiety
• Dissatisfaction with your job
• Losing your sense of humor
• Self pity
• Excessive stubbornness
• Insomnia
• Passion for alcoholic beverages
• Feeling of unsatisfied hunger or poor appetite
• Reduced pace of activity.

Naturally, all of the listed signs of stress may not be observed all together. The manifestation of several of them already indicates serious problems. In some cases, signs of stress are hidden behind pain of unknown etiology. Only an experienced therapist can distinguish them from the disease. However, some signs of stress take the form of actual diseases, such as hypertension, stomach ulcers, and arthritis.

Species

Depending on the result, psychology distinguishes the following types of stress:

• Eustress (“useful” stress). To be successful, each of us needs some dose of stress. It is she who is the driving force of our development. This state can be called the “awakening reaction.” It is akin to waking up from sleep. To go to work in the morning you need to get out of bed and wake up. To achieve work activity, you need a push, a small portion of adrenaline. This role is played by eustress.
• Distress (harmful stress) that occurs during critical stress. It is this state that meets all ideas about stress.

In which direction the types of stress will shift depends on a number of circumstances and individual characteristics of the individual. Distress can be caused as a response to a specific situation. But most often this phenomenon is “cumulative” in nature, as a result of which the body’s resistance gradually decreases and then disappears completely. This condition cannot last long; it can develop into a disease.

Depending on the factors that caused stress, the following types of stress are known:

• Psychological - cause frustrating, unfavorable relationships with society.
• Physiological stress is the result of excessive physical activity, poor irregular nutrition, and lack of sleep.
• Information stress provokes an excess or deficiency of information when making decisions. An excess of information, which includes too many factors that should be taken into account at the time of decision-making, and a lack of information, in which there is no clear certainty, puts people in a difficult position.
• Emotional stress is caused by excessively strong feelings. It occurs in life-threatening situations or as a result of joyful and unexpected events. The causes of stress, in this case, are a message about a promotion, the birth of a child, a marriage proposal, etc.
• Managerial stress is provoked by high responsibility for the decisions made.

The causes of stress in science are usually called stressors. Accordingly, scientists distinguish three groups of stressors.

The first is stressors beyond our control. These include: weather, prices, inflation, habits of other people, government actions, taxes. Under their influence, you can be nervous to the point of exhaustion about increased tariffs, the actions of an inexperienced driver, but apart from an increase in blood pressure and adrenaline concentration, nothing will change. Using positive visualization techniques, muscle relaxation, meditation techniques and breathing exercises will be much more effective.

The second includes phenomena and events that we voluntarily turn into problems. This group includes all types of anxiety about past events that one cannot change, and about the future.

The third is stressors that are within our control. These include unconstructive actions, the inability to plan one’s time, the inability to determine priorities, and some difficulties in interpersonal interaction.

In this vein, it is important to note that a stressor is only a reason for it to begin; we ourselves make it the cause of a neuropsychic disorder.

So for some, a broken cup is a trifle, but for others it is a reason for divorce. Thus, in both cases the stressor is the same, but it causes a different reaction. Another striking example was the story of A.P. Chekhov's "Death of an Official". The hero of the story sneezed and accidentally splashed saliva on the general’s bald head. The experiences that followed this event caused his death.

The causes of stress lie in wait for us every second, but how we react to them is another matter. This can be explained from a physiological point of view. The human brain cannot distinguish between a real threat and a perceived one, and every time a situation causes fear, it reacts as if it were a real threat.

The danger of such situations lies in the gradual adaptation of the body to a hostile environment. He is constantly in “combat” readiness, which contributes to the occurrence. In psychology, this concept is interpreted as the result of a long stay in an extremely dangerous environment. It perfectly characterizes the aggressive reality of the modern business world.

To have a complete understanding of what stress is, you should consider the stages of stress or stages of its development.

Stages of development

The stages of stress characterize the dynamics of the development of internal tension:

• The first is mobilization, characterized by an increase in tension, intensity of reactions, acceleration of the ability to reproduce information and remember. At this moment, the clarity of cognitive processes increases. This stage helps to increase productivity and effectiveness in activities.
• The second is maladaptation, transition to internal stress. The transition to this level occurs as a result of prolonged stress. A reaction of forbidden inhibition appears, which manifests itself in a decrease in the quality of activity. Disorganization is observed in behavior, some information is lost, the clarity of its transmission is lost, decisions are made without taking into account the consequences.
• The third is disorganization, characterized by a decline in internal activity and nervous exhaustion. It occurs when the stress continues. As a result, violations of the internal regulation of behavior may occur, and behavior becomes inadequate to the situation. Prolonged experience of stage three stress can lead to serious illnesses. At this stage, the help of specialists is needed: psychologists, therapists, psychotherapists, psychoneurologists.

Stress is not a death sentence. It is necessary and possible to fight it. The human body is resilient and has enormous potential to restore it. However, this recovery mechanism works when the mind is not yet poisoned by the influence of the disorder.

One of the most popular is “positive visualization”. Its use will allow you to get rid of negative emotions. It consists of a conscious mental recreation of an unpleasant situation, but with some adjustment. For example, imagine a person who offended you wearing a ridiculous hat with a bow or an indecent suit. The image being recreated is not important here, the result is important, it should make you laugh and change negative emotions.

A good result is achieved by a technique that offers a look at stress from a higher perspective.

1. Assess stress from the standpoint of high moral principles, and not from the standpoint of petty-bourgeois squabbles.
2. Backstage stress. Life is a theater, and in its difficult moments, we have the right to go “behind the scenes.”
3. View from the balcony. Mentally “look” at the problem from above. Just as people seem small from a balcony, so problems that seem insoluble will seem insignificant and funny from above.
4. You can “breathe” stress. In an emergency, use relaxation breathing exercises - slow inhalation and slow long exhalation. In your free time, “breathe” stress with the aroma of essential oils.
5. Try “chanting” stress by repeating positive statements like: “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” “The louder the shots, the more courageous I am.”

The technique of “eliminating the cause of stress” is no less effective. It implies the creation of a certain lifestyle without haste, with the acceptance of the pleasures offered by life (fitness, hobbies, interest groups, dancing). The essence of the technique is “stop pretending to be a martyr for the sins of all mankind.”

Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are of great importance in the fight against stress. But the most important thing is to be able to understand that the most powerful remedy against stress is to learn to be happy.

An active social life, constant presence in the cycle of events, family, work - all this together causes strong stress and anxiety. Due to an unhealthy lifestyle, as well as exposure to negative situations, a person may experience stress, which in itself has a destructive effect on emotions and health.

What is stress: concept

Before looking for ways to get rid of the negative impact of external factors, you need to know what stress is, for what reasons it arises and what signs can be used to judge its presence. Stress can be defined as the body's reaction to various stimuli. The magnitude and duration of action of these stimuli varies, and their influence and consequences largely depend on individual characteristics and the ability to cope with negative factors.

Stress is also called a state of increased tension and heavy load on the human psyche. It is known that not only negative factors can cause stress, although they are the most common cause, but also positive ones. For example, changes in the family, the birth of a child can also be a reason, although for most people such events are positive.

Thus, stress is defined as the body's response to stressors. These are those factors and elements in a person’s life that can directly affect his condition.

Reasons

In order to be able to avoid the influence of negative stimuli on the body, it is important to know the causes of stress. A person’s resistance to external stimuli is of great importance. Different people react differently to the same event; accordingly, one person may experience stress while another may not. Main reasons:

• Chronic fatigue, when there is little time left for proper rest.
• Internal attitudes and beliefs of a person that do not allow them to adequately and calmly respond to certain stimuli.
• Traumatic life situations: illness of relatives and one’s own, death, sudden changes in life.
• Long-term financial problems.
• Life not meeting your own expectations.
• Pressure from loved ones, especially in the family.
• Intrafamily disagreements.
• Problems at work, the inability to find a common language with colleagues, conflicts with superiors, the impossibility of moving up the career ladder if a person expects it.

The type of human nervous system and its susceptibility to stimuli are of great importance. A weak nervous system and fears aggravate the impact of stress factors and lead to its intensification.

How to determine if you have stress: symptoms and signs

Now it is necessary to find out the main signs and symptoms of stress in order to begin its prevention and remove a person from a negative state in time. All symptoms can be divided into several categories:

• Emotional;
• Cognitive;
• Physiological;
• Social.

Emotional Signs

A person, being in a state of stress, feels irritability, aggressiveness, tearfulness, and a feeling of loneliness. Sudden and poorly controlled outbursts of anger are possible, which leads to conflicts with other people. Stress often causes the development of depressive disorder, which is why it is so important to minimize its impact. There is a change in mood from good to sharply negative.

Cognitive signs of stress

Exposure to stress factors, especially long-term, leads to deterioration in thinking, memory, and attention. A person in this state solves current problems worse, it becomes more difficult for him to perceive new information and fulfill his professional duties.

Physiological symptoms

Stress causes disruption of many body functions. Headaches, pain in the heart area appear, and blood pressure rises. Often, a person under stress experiences insomnia, loss of appetite or an increase in appetite, which provokes a change in weight. Severe fatigue and weakness in the body may occur, and libido may decrease.

Social signs

A person in a stressful situation may enter into conflicts with other people, not always being aware of his own actions. People can transfer the impact of stress at work onto loved ones, taking out their anger on them. Stress in the family, in turn, can affect efficiency in professional activities, and constant negative thoughts provoke errors in work and sometimes injuries. A person who has been under stress for a long time may experience disruptions in social contacts, as people begin to avoid his aggression.

Types of stress

In medical and psychological practice, it is divided according to its mode of action: positive form and negative form.

Eustress is stress caused by positive events. It is divided into two groups:

• Caused by emotions.
• Mobilizing.

The first type occurs when a person realizes what is happening to him, he understands the tasks facing him and sees ways to solve them. The second type involves a small adrenaline rush, which helps you tune in and quickly switch to solving the current task. We experience mobilizing stress in the morning, when we need to quickly get ready for work. These are mild types of stress that help you deal with current problems and be active in the world around you.

With low resistance of the human body and psyche to the influence of external factors, eustress can turn into destructive.

Distress - this type of stress has a destructive effect on the human body. Mental activity is impaired, physical health deteriorates, and performance decreases. It can also be divided into several subtypes.

1. Physiological. Such stress appears when exposed to unfavorable environmental factors: temperature, weather, as well as internal factors - hunger, thirst, pain in various parts of the body.
2. Emotional. It occurs during situations when a person experiences strong emotions, and they can be not only negative, but also positive. Constantly experiencing the same emotions can cause fatigue, moral and psychological exhaustion. This type also occurs in the presence of a strong imagination, fantasies that can cause real stress.
3. Short-term. Occurs when suddenly exposed to certain factors, for example, sudden fear. Often associated with the instinct of self-preservation. It usually goes away quickly and has no after effects. However, when a highly traumatic situation occurs, the stress can last for several days and be profound.
4. Chronic. This is the most dangerous type. A person is daily and systematically exposed to certain stressors. At the same time, he gets used to their presence, stops noticing, however, they continue to act. Distress can lead to disruption of the body's functioning, various diseases, and nervous breakdowns. It often ends in its development in a severe form, even to the point of suicidal tendencies.
5. Nervous stress. It is often observed in people predisposed to nervous diseases, but can also occur against the background of severe stress. In this case, much depends on the type of nervous system and how a person usually reacts to stimuli.

Stages of stress development

Development takes place in several stages. You can experience both a state of excitement, when it is difficult to control your emotions and actions, and a state of inhibition and indifference to what is happening. There are 3 stages of stress:

The first stage is anxiety

This is the body's initial reaction to exposure to irritants. Anxiety, apprehension, and wariness appear. At this stage, a person can mobilize his strength to solve the situation. The stage lasts from several minutes to several weeks, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the psyche. As a result, a person may lose self-control, his behavior changes to the opposite of what is usual for him, tension increases, and relationships with loved ones and colleagues may be disrupted.

Resistance

At this stage, the body’s resources are activated and resistance to stressors occurs. Being at this stage, a person is able to most effectively cope with the impact of the stimulus. The body's resistance is overestimated, a person is capable of analyzing and finding the most effective solution.

The third stage of stress is exhaustion

If a solution and a way out of the situation is not found, and the person is unable to cope with his emotions, then the stress goes into the phase of exhaustion. You begin to feel severe fatigue, indifference, lack of strength and desire to do and change anything. High likelihood of somatic and psychological diseases.

If a person has enough of his own resources or has found methods to deal with stress, then he escapes its influence.

The psyche and resistance of each person to unfavorable factors is individual. One person experiences a little stress and easily finds a way out, while another reacts violently and aggressively to a similar situation. It is important to learn to identify the presence of stress and its type in time and take appropriate measures. Rest, change of activity, positive social contacts, sports will help reduce the influence of unfavorable factors and prevent mild forms of stress from developing into.

Stress is one of the protective mechanisms that ensure the normal functioning of the body. This process involves complex neurohumoral and metabolic processes; the body uses reserve substances. After the experience, immediate replenishment and physical recovery are required, otherwise pathological conditions may arise. A person needs to independently control the level of internal tension and take timely measures for treatment and recovery. Long-term stress, which has become chronic, exhausts a person and often leads to personality disorders.

Show all

What is stress?

The concept of stress is the manifestation of a nonspecific response of the body to any stimulus. It promotes the production of endogenous adrenaline, which increases stability and activates human potential. Stress is accompanied by conditions such as anxiety, agitation and tension. They are dangerous because they lead to the development of anxiety disorders. But in small quantities they are even beneficial for the individual and have a stimulating effect. Normally, a person aims to overcome a problem, but in the case of chronic stress, when the body is exhausted, he does not always succeed. At this moment, anxiety and tension reach their peak and can lead to irreversible consequences.

The definition of stress in psychology differs from the everyday understanding. It is almost always accompanied by an anxious state, when emotions such as nervousness and concern for the result come to the fore. Together, they help the body cope with any problem as quickly and rationally as possible; rapid brain activity is activated and sometimes the person himself does not realize how he managed to do something. Psychologists have established a pattern that the higher the nonspecific reaction, the more unpredictable and lightning-fast the decision on the part of the person turns out to be.

Regular anxiety states lead to persistent personality disorder, panic attacks and obsessive states. The development of pathology can only be prevented with timely and competent treatment.

Species

Many psychotherapists are confident that stress reactions in moderation contribute to the growth and development of the individual, due to its exit from the comfort zone. Thanks to them, self-knowledge and improvement of external and internal qualities occur. But this positive effect largely depends on the type and severity of stress.

Classification according to the provoking factor:

• distress - occurs as a result of a negative influence, takes a person out of the usual rhythm of life for a long time, the development of adverse consequences is possible, especially if something irreversible has happened;
• Eustress is the body’s response to a positive effect; it is not dangerous and does not entail pronounced changes.

Based on the type of impact, the following types of stress are distinguished:

• mental;
• food;
• temperature;
• light, etc.

According to the mechanism of action, they are distinguished:

• mental stress, in which only the emotional sphere is excited and the response occurs from the nervous system;
• biological, in which there is a real threat to a person’s health, injuries and diseases appear.

The level of stress depends largely on the scale of the problem. Some are temporary in nature, and the person subconsciously understands that they do not pose a serious threat to life, such as a session with students or a cold. Others are global in nature, when a person does not understand what the outcome will be. The latter include an earthquake, armed attack and other circumstances that threaten the cardio natural changes in life or its loss.



Stages

There are three interconnected stages of stress, which smoothly transform into one another, and it is impossible to resist this process:

1. 1. At the moment of stress, a person completely loses control and orientation in space for some period of time. There is a sharp change in mood, and behavior that is not typical for the individual appears. The body stops resisting. Kindness gives way to bitterness and aggression, and hot temper turns into isolation and detachment.
2. 2. After experiencing a state of shock, when a certain irritation occurred, a response is formed in the form of a stress reaction. In order to rationally use reserve forces, a person needs to take a sober look at the situation. To do this, on a subconscious level, he calms down and adapts to what happened. Resistance begins to appear.
3. 3. A response to the stimulus is given, the person finds a solution to the problem and the recovery period begins. If the active factor has not ceased its influence, then stress does not recede. The process becomes chronic, and the body is subjected to emotional and physical exhaustion.

The third stage is of fundamental importance for a specialist. The treatment tactics fundamentally depend on how long the patient has been experiencing anxiety shock. There is a direct relationship: the more a person is under the influence of an irritating factor, the greater the amount of help needed.



Causes

The body's response in the form of stress appears not only to negative factors, but also to positive stressors, which also portend changes. Many psychotherapists are confident that stress reactions in moderate quantities contribute to the growth and development of the individual and his exit from the comfort zone. Thanks to them, self-knowledge and improvement of external and internal qualities occur.

The main causes of distress are all the negative situations that a person experiences during his life. Everyone has their own value system and can experience different levels of shock from the same situation, but no one is indifferent.

For example, pregnancy is a consequence of biological eustress. On the one hand, the woman has been waiting for this state for a long time and is incredibly happy to feel life inside herself. On the other hand, the body undergoes certain changes that are temporary, but cause a lot of trouble and discomfort. The presence of pronounced toxicosis in the first months speaks of opposition. Thanks to immune suppression, fetal rejection does not occur. Immune reactions, hormonal changes, use of stored nutrients and much more constitute a complex stress response. At the end of pregnancy, a woman begins to experience real health difficulties, which subsequently transform into postpartum depression and require specialized treatment.

Signs

The symptomatic picture of various diseases that have a similar manifestation led the famous researcher Hans Selye to certain thoughts that laid the foundation for his life’s work - the study of stress. At the moment of complete exhaustion, there is not a single system left that has not received a blow. Conventionally, all symptoms can be divided into physiological and mental. The first reflect the effects of stress on the body. These include pronounced weight loss, loss of appetite, changes in heart function, VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia), fatigue, etc.

Mental signs include: internal tension, urinary incontinence, anxiety, depression, apathy, bad mood, isolation, detachment. How pronounced the body’s response and its non-specific reaction will depend on the initial state of the human nervous system. Emotionally weak individuals are prone to seek solutions to problems on the outside or with the help of psychotropic substances. They are the ones who are usually addicted to drugs and alcohol. Strong personalities find it easier to resist stress.

In psychotherapy, cognitive, physical, behavioral and emotional symptoms of stress are distinguished. They are relative, because some can manifest themselves in a person’s behavior even without a provoking factor, since they are the norm for the individual and are inherent in the psychotype. A psychotherapist will help identify the true symptoms of stress in the early stages of its manifestation; in advanced cases, when a person loses control over himself, they can be seen even by a non-specialist.

Cognitive symptoms:

• memory deteriorates;
• the ability to self-organize is lost;
• indecision and doubt appear;
• pessimism and mood swings are observed;
• anxiety and concern increases;
• Possible sleep disturbance, even insomnia.

Emotional symptoms:

• the person becomes capricious and demanding;
• irritability increases;
• panic attacks are possible;
• there is a tendency to depression;
• thoughts of suicide appear;
• there is a feeling of loneliness and uselessness;
• a hostile attitude towards everyone arises;
• aggression is more common;
• possible dissatisfaction with the current state;
• the psycho-emotional background is depressed.

Physical symptoms:

• dizziness and headache;
• indigestion;
• stool disorder;
• partial loss of reflexes;
• nausea and vomiting;
• breathing disorders;
• muscle and nerve spasms;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• increased sweating;
• dry mouth, feeling thirsty;
• fatigue.

Behavioral symptoms:

• isolation;
• detachment;
• abandonment of the main activity;
• addiction to alcohol or drugs;
• change in attitude towards others;
• change of outlook on life;
• revaluation of values;
• suspicion and distrust of others.

Depending on the number of listed symptoms, the severity of the condition is recognized. After a survey, observation and visual examination, the specialist makes a diagnosis and determines the amount of assistance needed. In severe clinical situations, hospitalization in a 24-hour hospital and constant monitoring by a specialist are required.

Treatment

It is possible to start treating stress at home, especially if the patient correctly perceives his condition and is ready to resist all negative changes. The first thing you need to pay attention to is your emotional state. Soothing teas, sedative medications can help reduce anxiety, massage can be done, and physiotherapeutic treatment can help. It is important to prevent exposure to the provoking factor. The earlier the recovery period begins, the faster the healing process occurs.

To recover and remain ready to cope with new stress, you should think about your overall health. It depends on your lifestyle. Healthy sleep, adherence to a work-rest regime, a rational and balanced diet, moderate physical activity and regular intake of vitamin complexes will improve health and replenish lost nutrients. This cannot be neglected, because an exhausted body is not able to continue adequate and full functioning.

A prolonged absence of positive dynamics during self-treatment indicates the need to consult a psychotherapist. He may recommend individual training or offer group classes, which are very effective in combating anxiety disorder. The advantage of this approach to treatment is the opportunity to learn to cope with stress with minimal consequences for yourself and regularly carry out prevention.

Whatever the stress, “good” or “bad”, emotional or physical (or both), its effect on the body has common non-specific features.

History of the term

The term “stress” was first introduced into physiology and psychology by Walter Cannon in his classic works on the universal fight-or-flight response.

The famous stress researcher, Canadian physiologist Hans Selye, published his first work on general adaptation syndrome in 1936, but for a long time avoided using the term “stress”, since it was used in many ways to refer to “nervous-psychic” tension (the “fight or flight” syndrome). . It was not until 1946 that Selye began to systematically use the term "stress" for general adaptive tension.

Physiology of stress

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Physiological stress was first described by Hans Selye as a general adaptation syndrome. He began to use the term “stress” later.

“Stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any demand presented to it […] In other words, in addition to the specific effect, all agents affecting us also cause a nonspecific need to carry out adaptive functions and thereby restore a normal state. These functions are independent of the specific effect. Nonspecific demands presented by the impact as such - this is the essence of stress

Further development of stress theory

It is shown that stress (as a classic nonspecific reaction in the description of G. Selye) is just one of the reactions that make up the general system of nonspecific adaptive reactions of the body, since the body, as a more sensitive system than its constituent subsystems, reacts to conditions of different strength and quality stimuli that cause fluctuations in homeostasis within, first of all, normal levels, and stress is a reaction to strong stimuli.

Described group stress effect, manifested in groups and populations under difficult living conditions: in a typical situation, with an increase in the adaptive load, the level of correlations increases, and as a result of successful adaptation, it decreases. The greatest information about the degree of adaptation of a population to extreme or simply changed conditions is provided by correlations between physiological parameters. Based on the effect created correlation adaptometry method. The method is systematically used in monitoring problems.

The use of multiple regression has proven the ability to predict stress levels long before it occurs in order to identify individuals (or groups of individuals) who are particularly susceptible to stress. This method allows not only to identify in advance the level of stress resistance of a person, but also to predict with high accuracy the indicators of the level of mental and somatic stress of people under stress.

Types of stress

Eustress

The concept has two meanings - “stress caused by positive emotions” and “mild stress that mobilizes the body.”

Distress

A negative type of stress that the body cannot cope with. It undermines human health and can lead to serious illnesses. The immune system suffers from stress. People under stress are more likely to become victims of infection, since the production of immune cells drops markedly during periods of physical or mental stress.

Emotional stress

Emotional stress refers to the emotional processes that accompany stress and lead to adverse changes in the body. During stress, the emotional reaction develops earlier than others, activating the autonomic nervous system and its endocrine support. With prolonged or repeated stress, emotional arousal can stagnate, and the functioning of the body can go wrong.

Psychological stress

Psychological stress, as a type of stress, is understood differently by different authors, but many authors define it as stress caused by social factors.

Using stress for interrogation or psychological manipulation

Shown, for example, in the television series “Lie to Me”.

Common Misconceptions

Among non-specialists, there has been a tendency to equate stress (and especially psychological stress) simply with nervous tension (partly to blame for this is the term itself, which means “tension” in translation from English). Stress is not just mental anxiety or nervous tension. First of all, stress is a universal physiological reaction to fairly strong impacts, which has the described symptoms and phases (from activation of the physiological apparatus to exhaustion).