By Jacquie Eubanks BSN, RN
Although the word "stress" is commonly used, its definition is highly subjective. The term stress was coined in 1936 by Hans Selye who defined it as the "non-specific response of the body to any demand for change". Through his research, Selye concluded that persistent exposure to different types of harmful physical and emotional stimuli produced the same disease in animals as well as humans. Stress, apparently, in addition to being itself, was also the cause and effect of itself.
Because stress was viewed in a negative context, a new word, stressor, was coined to distinguish stimulus from response. At that time, the word stress came to be defined as "physical, mental or emotional strain or tension" or the feeling experienced when demands exceeded an individual's personal and social resources. The positive effects of stress, known as eustress were ignored. Stress, it seems, can also be useful when it motivates people to achieve more.
Up to a point, increased stress results in increased productivity after which conditions quickly decline. That peak differs for each of us, so learning to recognize the early warning signs and symptoms of stress overload, can be helpful in managing the negative effects of stress.
Stress is difficult to define as individuals react differently to stressors and our perceptions and expectations vary greatly. Faulty perceptions, which we can learn to correct, have to do with how much or how little control we perceive to have over a situation. Some individuals thrive under intense pressure that others would consider overwhelming. Scientific studies have confirmed that people who are subjected to high demands but who have little or no control, have increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Having little or no control is distressing and that is the crux of what stress is all about.
There are many common signs and symptoms of stress overload, some of which include:
- Frequent headaches
- Neck, back or muscle pain
- Stomach upset
- Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse
- Excess anxiety, worry, nervousness
- Increased anger, frustration and irritability
- Depression and mood swings
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Reduced productivity
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Weight gain or loss
- Substance abuse
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Immune System Disorders
- Ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Depression
- Degenerative Neurological Disorders
- Autoimmune Diseases
