What is Stress?
Stress is a form of physical and psychological pressure that occurs when faced with conditions that feel dangerous. Simply put, stress is the body’s way of responding to threats, pressures, and demands that arise.
The causes can be very diverse, ranging from yourself to environmental factors. When feeling a threat, the nervous system will respond by releasing a flow of cortisol and adrenaline hormones.
These two types of hormones can trigger reactions in the body, such as a faster heartbeat, tense muscles, rapid breathing, and increased blood pressure.
These various reactions that occur have the term stress response or “ fight-or-flight ”. This problem can happen to anyone, from children to adults. When it happens the body will show a signal of alertness to the danger and challenge.
In addition, the body’s reactions that appear can be positive or negative. Positive reactions include increased alertness or motivation when facing challenges.
Meanwhile, negative reactions appear with signs of anxiety and fear, usually accompanied by the emergence of many physical complaints.
Symptoms of Stress
The causes are very diverse, and not a few people do not realize that they are experiencing this psychological problem because they consider it to be ordinary fatigue.
However, you should know what the common symptoms are, including:
- Feeling very tired.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- It’s easier to get angry with other people.
- Feeling worried, anxious, or afraid.
- Insomnia or having difficulty sleeping.
- Dizzy.
In addition, this problem can also be seen from changes both physically and mentally.
The symptoms are also quite varied, depending on how a person responds to the condition.
But broadly speaking, the symptoms can be divided into:
1. Emotional symptoms
When someone experiences stress, the emotional symptoms that appear include:
- Feeling frustrated.
- Very easily irritated.
- Very significant mood swings.
- Feeling confused and useless.
- Difficulty calming the mind.
- Depression.
- There is a tendency to avoid other people.
2. Physical symptoms
Then, the symptoms that can be seen physically from someone who experiences it, namely:
- Dizzy.
- Diarrhea.
- Weak.
- Nauseous.
- Sleep disorders.
- Heart pounding.
- Constipation.
- Pain in the muscles.
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Ears often ring.
- Feet and hands are cold and sweaty.
- Body shaking.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Dry mouth.
Types of Stress
Broadly speaking, this condition is divided into two main groups, namely acute and chronic. Here is the explanation:
1. Acute stress
Acute stress is short-term and can disappear quickly. You get it when you are facing a dangerous situation.
For example, pressing the brake pedal of a vehicle with all your might when you feel that you have hit something.
2. Chronic stress
Meanwhile, chronic stress is the type that occurs over a longer period of time, which can last for weeks to months. For example, you are facing financial problems or living in a household full of arguments.
You may feel used to this condition, so you don’t consider it a serious problem.
However, if you don’t find the best way to control it, this problem can trigger many health problems.
Causes of Stress
This condition is actually a good reaction because it can help someone realize a dangerous or threatening situation, so they try to get out of the situation.
There are several common conditions that cause stress, namely:
1. Job
Heavy workloads, tight deadlines, high demands, and lack of control over work can lead to this condition. Conflict between work and personal life demands can also increase the risk.
2. Financial problems
Financial instability, mounting debt, or other financial problems can create significant stress and anxiety.
3. Change of life
Major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, job loss, moving, or the death of a loved one, can be a source of stress.
4. Interpersonal conflict
Conflict in interpersonal relationships, whether at work, in the family, or in the social environment, can cause this condition.
5. Having a disease
Serious illness, injury, or chronic health conditions can cause this condition. Both physical pain and changes in quality of life can be the source.
6. Social environment
Social factors such as social isolation, violence, discrimination, or social pressure can trigger it. An unsafe or unstable environment can also increase the risk.
7. Environmental changes
Another cause is drastic environmental changes, such as natural disasters, climate change, or environmental pollution, which can cause stress and discomfort.
8. Family demands
High demands in the role of a spouse, parent, or other family member can create this condition. Changes in family dynamics or excessive responsibilities can also increase the risk.
9. Uncertainty of the future
Uncertainty in career, education, or life in general can cause stress. Feelings of insecurity and worry about the future can create emotional tension.
Stress Risk Factors
Although it can happen to anyone, even children and teenagers. However, this condition is more likely to occur in someone with the following conditions:
- Lack of sleep or experiencing insomnia.
- Not getting the nutritional intake according to needs.
- Poor physical and mental health conditions.
- Have experienced a traumatic event in the past.
- Have a history of mental health problems or stress.
Check Your Mental Health Condition with This Feature
Are you still confused about your mental health condition?
Before drawing your own conclusions, it’s a good idea to do an independent mental health check using simple tests.
Well, here are some mental health tests you can try:
Stress Check
A simple test to measure the level of stress you feel.
Depression Test
This test can measure the level of depression you are experiencing. This test is short and scientifically valid and has been used by health workers.
This examination contains 9 questions using a scale of 0 to 3 to calculate the final score.
Don’t worry, your scores are confidential, and mental health professionals can only see your information if you share it.
Anxiety Disorder Test
This is an anxiety disorder test with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 test. This is a short and scientifically valid test and has been used by health professionals.
This test contains 7 questions using a scale of 0 to 3 to calculate the final score.
Don’t worry, your scores are confidential, and mental health professionals can only see your information if you share it.
If the test shows a mental health disorder, immediately contact a psychologist or psychiatrist at Halodoc to get the best treatment.
Stress Diagnosis
In order to get an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will ask the sufferer to fill out a questionnaire to find out the level of stress the sufferer is feeling.
Doctors use the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire, a psychological examination tool that helps determine stress levels.
In addition, the doctor also conducted an interview session to find out what the cause was.
During this session, you should tell the doctor all the things or causes of this condition that you feel honestly.
After obtaining an overview of the results of filling out the questionnaire or interview, the doctor can determine whether someone is experiencing the acute or chronic type.
If this problem triggers the emergence of other health disorders, the doctor may recommend that you undergo supporting examinations, ranging from MRI to CT scans.
Stress Treatment
Actually, you can handle it yourself. However, stress management does not make this problem disappear completely. This management aims to keep you active.
Some of the actions you can take to manage stress include:
1. Identify what the cause is
Identifying the causes of stress can help you know what factors trigger this mental problem.
For example, the condition of the house, relationships with partners, and work problems.
2. Looking for solutions
If you already know what causes stress, the next step is to find a solution that can overcome it.
Start with the solution that is easiest for you to do.
3. Discuss with a professional
If you are unable to find the cause of your stress, there is no harm in discussing it with a professional.
Your doctor may suggest that you undergo counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, or emotional freedom technique (EFT) therapy.
Meanwhile, if this problem leads to a medical condition, the doctor may prescribe medication.
Stress Complications
Stress that is not immediately treated can trigger many serious health conditions, including:
- Other mental problems, such as personality disorders, excessive anxiety, and depression.
- Heart problems, such as arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat, high blood pressure, and heart attack.
- Eating disorders, which can lead to obesity and binge eating disorder.
- Menstrual period disorders.
- There is a decrease in sexual desire.
- Having skin problems, such as psoriasis, eczema, or acne.
- Hair loss.
- Problems with the digestive system, such as gastritis and GERD.
Stress Prevention
One of the effective measures to prevent it is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
- Get enough sleep every day.
- Taking time to do various things that are hobbies. For example, listening to music, watching, reading books, and going shopping.
- Make sure you get a balanced nutritional intake every day.
- Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Socializing with other people can have a positive effect.
- Apply relaxation or meditation techniques.
When to See a Doctor?
Make an appointment with the best psychologist or psychiatrist immediately if you experience stress that does not subside. Because, if it continues, it can be very dangerous for physical and mental health.
The following symptoms indicate that you should visit a professional immediately:
- It’s hard to control fear and panic.
- Unable to perform daily activities.
- It is difficult to forget events that cause trauma.
- Frequent dizziness or increased heart rate.
- Often suffer from insomnia.
- Having thoughts of ending one’s life.
Immediate treatment will make it easier for doctors and psychologists to identify the cause of the stress you are experiencing.
