Stop the chain reaction of stress
It might kick in late Sunday afternoon with a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. You start to feel irritable and uneasy just thinking of the week that lies ahead. And who can blame you? Between work, children, carpools, errands, house repairs, aging parents, and now America's new war on terrorism - for many people - the stress barometer has been pushed into the danger zone.
The body can only take so much
Stress can do a person in
The domino effect of stress
The mind and body are one
The body can only take so much
While the body is equipped to handle routine pressures, it's not as prepared to deal with stress that persists or is out of the norm. "Almost 50% of doctor visits are related to stress," explains
Mary Campagnolo, MD, Virtua Health family practitioner. "Stress really takes a toll. It lowers the immune system, so a person may get more colds or infections. It's also linked to problems like chest pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease, along with headaches, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome."
Stress can do a person in
Severe stress can trigger clinical depression or anxiety in people who are predisposed to these conditions. "People who have a personal or family history of psychiatric problems as well as those who fought in a war or experienced a traumatic event are more likely to be psychologically affected by stress," says
Ellen Brooks, MD, Virtua psychiatrist. Trouble sleeping or eating, loss of interest in hobbies, an overall sense of gloom, unpleasant flashbacks and regular nightmares are often signs of something more serious. Last September, CNN reported that about one-half of all Americans felt some degree of depression as a reaction to the September 11 attack and ensuing anthrax scares.
Yeva Rubinstein, MD, Virtua psychiatrist adds: "More than anything else, the stress and uncertainty of a possible terrorist action or threat drives people crazy. Men in particular want to be strong for their families and appear in control at work. For them, expressing fear about current events is particularly difficult. The result is that depression can develop."
The domino effect of stress
"All stress triggers a primitive protective response called 'fight or flight,'" says Jaime Pitner, MICP, RHC, Virtua's coordinator of holistic health services. "This mechanism prepares the body either to face what it senses as a challenge or to flee from it." When a person feels stress, adrenaline is released, increasing the heart rate and respiration, and getting more blood to the heart. Muscles tighten, glucose is created for extra energy, then to top it all off -people start to sweat. Amazingly, these complex physiological reactions are set into motion whether someone has a car accident, or simply spends the evening glued to the TV news watching one report of disaster after another.
The mind and body are one
"People can control stress. But first, they need to become more aware of what stresses them. Physical cues are important to monitor," says Pitner. He poses these questions: "Are you the kind of person who grips the steering wheel so tightly that your hands ache after a long drive? Do you end up with a sore neck after a contentious meeting at work?" These are common signals that stress may be getting the best of an individual.
There are many remedies to control stress. Deep breathing exercises can help reduce heart rate and ease muscle tension. Relaxation techniques like imagery can also work small wonders by allowing an individual to focus on a pleasant scenario. Virtua Health incorporates many of these techniques in the latest mind-body relaxation programs that teach hypnosis, tai chi, meditation, and stress management. An extensive massage therapy service is also available.
Pitner adds: "Remember, solutions are seldom found at the height of anxiety or the depths of depression. Our bodies and minds react best when calm and centered." To help people work through their feelings and manage trying times, Virtua behavioral health specialists provide a range of counseling services including individual, group and family therapy.