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Signs of Stress
What are the signs of stress? You probably already have your own
personal stress gauge. Stress is extremely personal, and so is your
reaction to stressful scenarios. That's why the signs and symptoms
of stress tend to vary from person to person. Here's a list of some
of the potential symptoms or signs that are commonly associated with
the affects of stress.
Signs of Stress
1) Anxious
2) Mind Racing
3) Chest Palpations
4) Problems Concentrating
5) Anxiety
6) Easily Irritated
7) Avoiding People or Responsibilities
8) Focusing on Negative Thoughts
9) Anger Issues
10) Headaches
11) Digestive Problems
12) Muscle Tension and Pain
13) Sleep Issues
14) Fatigue
15) High Blood Pressure
16) Weight Loss or Gain
17) Skin Problems – breakouts, rashes, hives
18) Hair Loss
19) Decreased Sex Drive
20) Nervous Behaviors - nail biting, pacing, teeth grinding
If you experience even three of these symptoms simultaneously, you
are probably dealing with a great deal of stress. And all of these
symptoms have the potential to harm your health and emotional well-
being. If you think your stress is out of your control, consult a
doctor. The point is to be pro-active against stress, because if you
do nothing to reduce or relieve the stress in your life your health
will most certainly be negatively impacted. Can stress make you
sick? It sure can. Can stress age you? You know it can.
Read more at http://www.tranquilityisyours.com/signs-of-stress.html
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Anxiety…News about counseling and mental health for those
living in Rolling Meadows, Cary, Lincolnwood, Mchenry, Huntley, Carpentersville, Lake Zurich and Lake in the Hills,
IL …
For those of the many people who have suffered from anxiety, they know that anxiety hurts. If you are one of those many who suffer from this
condition, you know first hand that this statement is true.
It's no wonder so many people are at the brink of doing just about anything to rid themselves of the pain of panic attacks. This conditions can
keep you from enjoying life and all the pleasures that life has to offer if you let it become uncontrollable.
Preventing them from starting in the first place is the best way to rid yourself of anxiety and panic attacks. These problems do not just surface
out of nowhere. They are rooted from experiences that we live and think about day in and day out.
For example, before the anxiety or panic arises, try this exercise to help prevent an attack from happening. Take 5 minutes of your day and
devote it only to you. Take a comfortable seat and rest your hands in your lap. Till the count of five relax and inhale deeply and slowly. Hold
it in. Now, slowly and gently exhale till the count of five.
Practice taking these long, gentle breaths 4-5 times in a row. Focus on the sounds and sensations of your steady breath entering and leaving your
body.
Once you have mastered your breathing technique, think of a situation in your life that causes anxiety or panic for you. When the thought enters
your head and you feel the anxiety build up, tell yourself that you can handle it and move on. It may take repeating it over and over until you
notice that there is zero anxiety. It will work if you believe in yourself and believe it will work.
Lets be clear about one thing, the purpose of this exercise is to keep yourself calm through thoughts that normally would stress you. Try to keep
a positive head and do not dwell on the situation itself, but on overcoming the situation.
Believing that every time you come across this situation or a new one similar to it you will live through it without anxiety or panic attacks.
Remember to just stay calm and relaxed and feel acceptance of the matter.
Lets examine what acceptance means. Can you feel acceptance? Yes, you can! You feel acceptance when you are in a peaceful state, devoid of
struggle, based in the here and now. Being in a state of acceptance, you do not think of the future or the past. You are in the moment,
completely present.
When you are in a state of acceptance, you can not resist the thing that makes you anxious. You are so in tuned to the fact that it is there and
you do not care. Instead of striving to change the situation, you simply allow yourself to exist and you allow the situation to exist, and let it
go. Not fighting it will allow it to go away. And, letting it go away will result in sending your anxiety panic attacks away as well.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Consequences of Depression and
Suicide …News about counseling and mental health for those
living in Arlington Heights, Wauconda, Lincolnshire, Gilberts, Huntley, Carpentersville, Lake Zurich and Crystal Lake,
IL …
CNN) -- On a Friday afternoon in March 2000, University of Pennsylvania freshman Alison Malmon came in from studying outdoors with
friends, and her world crashed around her.
Her older brother, Brian, a senior on leave from Columbia University, had committed suicide at their mother's house in Potomac,
Maryland.
"You don't really expect it to happen to a brilliant, outgoing, funny young adult who is in an Ivy League university," Malmon told
CNN recently.
Although Brian had concealed his depression and psychosis for nearly three years with his quick wit and academic accomplishments,
the family became aware that he was having difficulties about a year and a half before he took his life, Malmon said.
In November 1998, Brian had visited the counseling center at Columbia University. Professionals there had recommended that he take
some time off from school. Once home, Brian began seeing a therapist, and also began taking medication to temper his mental
illness.
"There was a year and a half that we knew ... what was going on," Malmon recalled. "The problem was [the] three years when he was
on his own without getting the family support, the support from friends, without getting professional support.
"It just all happened in a blur."
Shaken by what she called her brother's fear of his mental illness, which she believes hindered his getting help, Malmon formed a
student group called "Active Minds" about a year and a half after her brother's death.
Her intent was to increase awareness of mental illness on college campuses.
"I wanted to educate students... about the issues, about the signs and symptoms, and about where -- on campus and off campus and
online -- you can get help," she said.
"And I wanted that to come from the students themselves, because I felt education coming from the clinicians, from professionals,
is often more stigmatized and more intimidating, than it is coming from students who have their own stories."
The student group soon expanded to Georgetown University, and when Malmon graduated in 2003, she turned it into a nonprofit
organization.
There are 65 chapters in 27 states, Malmon said.
The mental health statistics on college campuses are alarming. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college
students, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. More than 40 percent of college students have felt so depressed they could
not function, according to a 2006 American College Health Association report.
"Active Mind" chapters "get people talking about the issues," she said. "And [they] really work to de-stigmatize the issue, so
that everybody who needs help gets it, as early as possible."
The April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech have highlighted the need for awareness among college students, Malmon said, adding that
she hopes gunman Seung-Hui Cho's actions won't increase the stigma and shame that sometimes accompany mental illness.
"We can't make it uncomfortable for students to come forward with their stories," she said. "Because that's how we're going
to...have more students graduate and go on to become productive members of society, [and] not feel so ashamed like my brother
did."
Monday, May 21, 2007
Consequences of Adult ADHD …News about counseling and mental health for those living in Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Fox River
Grove, Prairie Grove, Huntley, South Elgin, Lake Zurich and Barrington, IL …
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