What is stress?

             

Concept of stress has it's origin in physics and engineering.

Stress: Force or pressure exerted upon a material object

Strain:  Reaction of the object to the force exerted.

This concept was borrowed in life sciences by Hans Selye in 1936

Stress means different things to different people. For a businessman it is fear of loss. For an exam going student it is a problem of concentration,for an athlete it is anxiety of performance, for an executive it is the fear of failure and being sidetracked, for a patient it is fear of pain and suffering.

But in all these situations there is an identical biochemical response,which helps to cope with the increase demand or threat.

Stress is of 2 types;

Eu-stress (good stress)

Distress (Bad stress)  

Eu-stress:

Game of chess

An athlete in a competition

Pursuit of new occupation

Joy of creation

Making love

In all these situations the outcome is pleasant and it is rewarding.It helps to avoid danger or meet a deadline. The stress makes us organised and improves our performance. Eu-stress is desirable,beneficial and healthy.

Distress (bad stress):

It occurs due to various life situations in business, health, marriage,and natural calamities.It increases the risk of strokes, heart attacks, stomach ulcers,and mental illnesses. 

There are a few lucky ones who have a eu-stress in their life, but majority are facing a distress.

Stress arises from different life situations: 

• Domestic (maximum impact)

• Unemployment

• Threat of losing job

• Job dissatisfaction

• poor housing

Domestic situations create a maximum amount of stress. It involves a conflict with spouse,parents,or children. 

It means that maximum stress is given to you by your near and dear ones. Strangers have no time and interest in you.

   

Early signs of depression

     

• Loss of pleasure

• Joylessness

We enjoy our life, going to restaurants, movies, picnics. We plan these activities and derive pleasure. We have seen Sunset umpteen number of times, but still enjoy it again and again. We are happy to see roses. We enjoy pakodas in rainy season. Some people watch Hindi or Marathi serials on T.V. 
If they miss that time, then they watch the repeat telecast next day.

This shows we are enjoying life and not suffering from depression.But,if a person is unable to enjoy life,and does not find any pleasure for a period of 3 weeks, then he is suffering from depression, Although it is subjective, it is very 
reliable.
Diagnosis of depression does not require any tests such as 
X -ray, MRI, sonography, blood test or urine test. It is based on what the patient says.  

Then what happens?

The person does not report this to his family doctor.(what for? I do not have diabetes, blood pressure,backache, I just feel sad. what a doctor can do?) He or she may mention this to the spouse, who will brush it off as something trivial and not to be taken seriously 

If this depression is intense, then it induces some physical signs,such as neck pain or backache,tiredness,gastric upsets, This is called as somatization, (Mental distress transformed into physical  symptoms) Then the spouse and the relatives take the person to a doctor, get all the tests done,advise him to take care, and take some rest.

Physical complaints are respected but not the mental symptoms (they are all in the imagination)

What is Self esteem? Can you measure it?

 Self-esteem means feeling good about yourself. You believe in yourself and feel proud. you feel competent and worthy     

                
It is a personality trait, which means that it tends to be stable and enduring.

The outcome:

• Good academic achievement
• happiness,
• satisfaction in marriage and relationships.

Good self esteem

Confidence
Ability to say "No"
Positive outlook
Believe in certain values 
Learn from the past.
Enjoy what they do

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Low self esteem

• Negative outlook
• Hypersensitive to criticism; Resents his critics
• Focus on weaknesses
• Exaggerates past mistakes
• Excess desire to please others
• Look for the approval and praise
• Feelings of shame, depression, or anxiety
• Belief that others are better than you

Edit

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  • The Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), developed by the sociologist Morris    Rosenberg, is widely used in social-science research. It uses a scale of 0–30 where a score less than 15 may indicate a problematic low self esteem.
• Please read each statement and record your score.
• 0 = Strongly disagree
• 1 = Disagree
• 2 = Agree
• 3 = strongly agree
• A score of less than 15 indicates low self esteem

Measure your self esteem:

 I feel I am a person of worth,at least on an equal plane with others

I feel that I have a number of good qualities

All in all I am inclined to feel that I am a failure

I am able to do things as well as most of the people

I feel I do not have much to be proud of

I take a positive attitude towards myself

On the whole i am satisfied with myself

I wish I could have more respect for myself

I certainly feel useless at times

At times I feel I am no good at all

What you should do if you have a low self esteem?     Learn to tolerate criticism:

• Do not resent the person who criticizes you. He may be speaking truth but the way of saying is rude. Ignore the rudeness and introspect.

• Do nor feel insulted (so easily)

This is not that difficult to achieve, if you make conscious efforts.

Please help yourself. Good luck

Edit

Stressful life events:

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In 1967, psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe examined the medical records of over 5,000 medical patients  to determine whether stressful events might cause illnesses. Patients were asked to tally a list of 43 life events based on a relative score. A positive correlation was found between their life events and their illnesses.

Their results were published as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), known more commonly as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. 

maximum stress lies in the relationship with your spouse, followed by your health and your image in the society.

If you are happily married and enjoy good health and social image, you can take on other life stresses.

Life event	Life change units
Death of a spouse	100
Divorce	73
Marital separation	65
Imprisonment	63
Death of a close family member	63
Personal injury or illness	53
Marriage	50
Dismissal from work	47
Marital reconciliation	45
Retirement	45
Change in health of family member	44
Pregnancy	40
Sexual difficulties	39
Gain a new family member	39
Business readjustment	39
Change in financial state	38
Death of a close friend	37
Change to different line of work	36
Change in frequency of arguments	35
Major mortgage	32
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan	30
Change in responsibilities at work	29
Child leaving home	29
Trouble with in-laws	29
Outstanding personal achievement	28
Spouse starts or stops work	26
Beginning or end school	26
Change in living conditions	25
Revision of personal habits	24
Trouble with boss	23
Change in working hours or conditions	20
Change in residence	20
Change in schools	20
Change in recreation	19
Change in church activities	19
Change in social activities	18
Minor mortgage or loan	17
Change in sleeping habits	16
Change in number of family reunions	15
Change in eating habits	15
Vacation	13
Major Holiday	12
Minor violation of law	11

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