Stress Questions
NAME: Stress outline: PER: 1. A stressor is the cause of stress. Stress is the body s response of life. to the demands Page 1
2. Adrenaline is a hormone that prepares the body to react. What are some reactions your body might have physically if you were facing a stressor? -heart rate goes up -you clench your fists -muscles tense -you get a stomachache *fight or flight means your body is either ready to fight and face the stressor, or flight (get away) from the stressor. Page 1
3. When you experience stressors, changes occur in your body. Adrenaline is a good thing, but it is meant to help us in a crisis, and not daily. Muscles in the body get fatigued with prolonged stress and lack of oxygen. (Try to open and close your fist for 30 seconds, then squeeze real tight for 10 seconds and open your fist. What do you see? The blood has been cut off and hand will feel stiff (and this is just 30 seconds!) This can show you a similar effect when our muscles tighten with chronic stress, people end up with back aches, migraines, sore neck...) 4. Prolonged stress lowers your immune system and causes people to get sick. Page 1
5. *Psychosomatic disease is a physical disorder caused by an emotional reason. Ex: stomachache caused by fear / or headache caused by stress. The Center for Disease Control has found that "Up to 90% of illness is stress-related! (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/educate/college/firstyear/articles/20050327.htm) 6. If you turn to drugs or alcohol because of stress, you: -Use the drug as an escape and it s addicting -Don t learn how to cope Page 1
7. 3 things to do if you are stressed out : TIME OUT - WORK OUT - REACH OUT 1. TIME OUT take time out for things you enjoy. These should be simple pleasures that you can enjoy daily like listening to music, talking on the phone, etc. List 5 things you would like to do for a TIME OUT: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Page 2
take a nap read listen to music take a shower write computer T.V. go for a walk talk on the phone play with my pet climb a tree mow the lawn jump on my tramp work on my car play an instrument video game shopping go to the beach watch a movie clean the house draw chill in the garage cook / bake horseback riding bike riding skate boarding roller blazing fly fishing
2. WORK OUT - Exercise and get daily activities. List 5 things you would like to do for a WORK OUT: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Page 2
jogging walking lifting weights biking chopping wood soccer football dancing walking my pet jump rope tennis : badminton floor hockey hiking rock climbing skating Frisbee volleyball Lacrosse baseball/softball kayaking snorkeling Basketball Wii Fit DDR Ping pong Heavy yard work Mowing the lawn Zumba cheerleading swimming hot yoga
3. REACH OUT This could mean 3 things: 1. Reaching out to others to talk about what is going on in your life or what is stressing you out 2. To reach out and join an activity and meet some new people 3. Reach out to others and do something nice for someone else. List 3 things you could do to REACH OUT : 1. 2. 3. These must all involve CONNECTION with other people-not just to chill (that s time out but to chill with friends works! Page 2
name a friend you reach out to name a family member you reach out to list an activity you do with others list a sport you do with others list how you help others list volunteer work you do list counseling you go to these must all involve CONNECTION with other people-not just to chill (that s time out but to chill with friends works!
8. To be resilient means: to bounce back from hardships. 9. There is good stress (Eustress) and Bad stress (Distress) Eustress is stress from good events and Distress is stress is from bad events Page 2
10. Clinical Depression is long-lasting Go to a clinic if it lasts longer than: 2 weeks There is no cure, but it can be treated for life! Page 3
11. If you have 5 or more (for longer than 2 wks.) = Clinical Depression 3 : - depressed or sad mood most of the day - diminished interest or pleasure in daily activities - substantial increase or decrease in appetite - insomnia or excessive sleeping - restlessness or slowness of movement - fatigue or loss of energy - feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt - difficulty concentrating, thinking or making decisions - recurrent thoughts of death or suicide Page 3
12. Causes of Depression: 1. Family history can cause depression. (if one parent has Clinical Depression you have a 25% chance of also getting it. It usually starts from age 12-40) 4 2. Depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance. You can t just will yourself out of depression Fortunately, medication can be prescribed. *TREATMENTS ARE: Anti-depressants and counseling Page 3
13. Bipolar Disorder: is a disorder that includes episodes of major _depression, and episodes of _mania. Manic symptoms can include: being hyper, feeling high," spending $, egotistical, judgmental, that no one else is right, that you don t need sleep, you're irritable It should be treated*. Page 4
14. Other Depression Disorders include: Post-Partum depression is Clinical Depression in new mothers that occurs weeks or months after their baby is born. It is probably due to hormonal changes in her body. It should be treated*. S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder is sometimes called Winter Depression and can be brought on by dark days, lack of sunlight, and shorter days. It should be treated*. Page 4
Other Facts about Depression 7 : Question: Are Anti-depressants Addictive? Answer: Antidepressants are not considered addictive. They do not create cravings if you stop, nor are they associated with drug-seeking behavior. You don't need to keep increasing the dose to get the same effect. People sometimes refer to the symptoms they experience when stopping an antidepressant too rapidly as withdrawal, but it is not considered a true withdrawal syndrome. These flu-like symptoms are more accurately referred to as discontinuation syndrome. Up to 1/3 of people do have withdrawal-type symptoms. These include: Stomach upset, Flu like symptoms, Anxiety, Dizziness Vivid dreams at night Sensations in the body that feel like electric shocks