Help! I'm Stressed

By Dorinda Lambert, Ph. D.

Though stress is a normal part of life, too much stress can make you miserable, worried, sad, and ill! Or it can interfere with your daily activities.

STRESS CAN BE CAUSED BY CHANGE THAT IS TOO FREQUENT OR TOO DRASTIC FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, OR ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU:

EXAMPLES:

Change in Lifestyle - sudden financial gain or loss, first time living alone or with someone
Personal Loss - loss of friends when moving, separation or divorce, death of a loved one
Job Changes - trouble at work, getting fired, taking a new job
Money Problems - budget troubles, large debts, loss of income
Illness/Injury - major illness or accidental injury
Family Changes - pregnancy, increased family responsibilities

EXCESS STRESS CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO

ANXIETY

Definition: vague fear that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen...even if there is no real threat;

Can come from holding back feelings we can't cope with or
From a conflict between what we'd like to do and what we think we ought to do

COMMON SIGNS OF ANXIETY:
Nervousness
Trembling
Dizziness
Pounding Heart
Inability to Slow Down or Relax
Abnormal Eating Habits
Troubled Breathing

PROLONGED ANXIETY:
• Can lead to serious problems such as ulcers, high blood pressure, and/or
• An inability to enjoy life and the world.

DEPRESSION

Definition: a feeling of sadness or disappointment that leads to apathy and withdrawal -- for no specific reason;

May result from frustration, the inability to live up to expectations, or
From a disappointment or compromise of one's values.

COMMON SIGNS OF DEPRESSION:
Fatigue, sleeplessness
Inability to concentrate
Restlessness, boredom
Lack of interest in food, sex
Decreased interest in life in general
Feelings of worthlessness
Sense of hopelessness

PROLONGED DEPRESSION

may cause such physical symptoms as headache or weight loss, or
may lead to drug or alcohol abuse

You don't have to manage it alone
You can learn new skills for dealing with the stress you have AND decreasing the excess stress in your life.

Check out these resources:

*For individual attention, learn more about Counseling and Psychological Services at http://www.k-state.edu/counseling/