Regardless of age, profession and gender (although it is a more common phenomenon), every person is subject to stress, which occurs in the same way for everyone. Therefore, in psychology the concept of “3 stages of stress” has emerged - anxiety, resistance and exhaustion.

The concept of “stress” was introduced into psychology in 1936 by Hans Selye. It is believed that the 3 stages of stress are his merit.

The main cause of stress is the regular influence of negative factors that are perceived by the body as dangerous. Accordingly, the person reacts to them inadequately. Negative factors can be anything - physical fatigue, illness, actions of people around, road accidents, etc.

When experiencing stress, a person gets health problems - rapid heartbeat, sexual disorders, high blood pressure, stomach problems. The fight against stress should begin from the first stage.

Phases of stress

– Phase 1. Alarm reaction;

– Phase 2. Resistance stage;

– Phase h. Exhaustion stage.

Main characteristics of the stages of stress

The first stage of stress is a feeling of anxiety. The adrenal glands produce norepinephrine and adrenaline, hormones that prepare the body for defense. They affect the immune system and digestion, so a person, feeling anxious, becomes vulnerable to disease. This explains the fact that a person, feeling anxious, begins to eat a lot or goes to the other extreme - he can completely refuse food. In the first case, the walls of the stomach are stretched and the pancreas is loaded. A malfunction occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, the body begins to produce excessive amounts of enzymes that “corrode” the intestines from the inside. In the second case, the stomach suffers: gastric juice is produced, which begins to corrode the walls of the mucous membranes, and this is dangerous for the development of ulcers.

If we consider the 3 stages of stress, the first stage can be recognized by the following symptoms:

– aggression;

– depressive state;

– irritation;

– restless sleep;

– excessive appetite or loss of it.

At the anxiety stage, a person has poor digestion and elimination of food (natural bowel movements are disrupted).

If a stressful situation is resolved quickly or a person can give a natural reaction to stress (for example, this can manifest itself in the form of fight, flight), then the stress goes away on its own. If its solution is delayed, then the second stage is activated - resistance or resistance. The body adapts to the surrounding circumstances, a new surge of strength begins, and depression goes away. Signs of psychological stress become less pronounced. Irritation and anxiety almost completely disappear. The person seems adequate and cheerful again. But over time, the influence of the stressor may manifest itself again. Then the 3 stages of stress will remind you of themselves through exhaustion. It occurs when stress lasts for a long period.

If you do not provide adequate relief from stress, the body's reserves may become depleted. Then illnesses, injuries, even mortality (in severe cases) are possible.

The third stage resembles the first, only with it it is impossible to mobilize the body’s forces, the limit of which is reached. The body “cries out for help,” which is expressed in the appearance of somatic disorders and serious illnesses. A person may experience a nervous breakdown and severe depression. At the exhaustion phase, the stress dynamics are already irreversible. A person cannot get out of his condition without outside help. He has to take sedatives and visit a psychologist.

A person under stress needs help. Starting from the second stage, you cannot do without the help of doctors. Therapy must be comprehensive. It is important to give a person psychological support and help him change his lifestyle. Changes must occur radically - for example, the daily routine must change, the amount of alcohol must be reduced, and physical activity must increase. Physical activity is one of the best helpers.

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Absolutely all people, regardless of age, gender and professional activity, are susceptible to stress. It happens the same way for everyone. Therefore, speaking in general terms, we can distinguish 3 stages of stress. This:

The main cause of psychological stress is the frequent impact of negative factors on the body, which are perceived by a person as dangerous and he cannot respond to them adequately. “Negative factors” in this case mean any actions of surrounding people, unforeseen circumstances (illness, DPT, etc.), mental and physical fatigue, etc.

The fight against stress should begin at the first stage. Since frequent emotional stress can affect all processes in the body, which leads to the development of various diseases.

When a person experiences stress, his blood pressure begins to rise, his heart rate increases, and problems arise with digestion and sex life. Therefore, it is very important to know at what stage stress begins and how it manifests itself.

Stage I – anxiety

The first stage of stress development is anxiety. It is characterized by the production of specific hormones by the adrenal glands (adrenaline and norepinephrine), which prepare the body for upcoming defense or escape. They greatly affect the functioning of the digestive and immune systems, as a result of which a person during this period becomes more vulnerable to diseases of various kinds.

Most often, during the development of the first stage of emotional stress, it is the digestive system that suffers, since a person experiencing anxiety either begins to eat constantly or refuses to eat food at all. In the first case, the walls of the stomach are stretched, the pancreas and duodenum experience severe stress. As a result of this, malfunctions occur in their work, which leads to increased production of digestive enzymes, which “eat away” them from the inside.

In the second case (when a person refuses food), the stomach itself suffers greatly, since “material” for processing does not enter it, and the production of gastric juice continues. It also leads to damage to the mucous membranes of the organ, which contributes to the development of peptic ulcers.

The main symptoms of the development of this stage of stress are as follows:

• depression;
• aggressiveness;
• irritability;
• sleep disturbance;
• constant presence of anxiety;
• loss or gain of body weight.

If during this period situations leading to stress are quickly resolved, then the first stage passes on its own. But if it drags on for a long time, the body “turns on the mode” of resistance, after which it becomes exhausted.

Stage II – resistance

After the first phase of stress, stage II of the emotional state begins - resistance or resistance. In other words, the body begins to adapt to environmental conditions. A person gains strength, depression disappears and he is again ready for exploits. And speaking in general terms, at this stage of stress development it may seem that a person is absolutely healthy, his body continues to function normally, and his behavior is no different from normal.

During the period of resistance of the body, almost all signs of psychological stress disappear.

However, it is worth noting that the body’s capabilities are not endless. Sooner or later, prolonged exposure to a stressor will make itself felt.

Stage III – exhaustion

If the stress effect on the body lasts for a very long time, after the second stage of stress development, phase III begins - exhaustion.

In its clinical picture it is similar to the first stage. However, in this case, further mobilization of the body's reserves is impossible. Therefore, we can say that the main manifestation of the “exhaustion” phase is actually a cry for help.

Somatic diseases begin to develop in the body, and all the signs of a psychological disorder appear. With further exposure to stressors, decompensation occurs and severe diseases develop, which can even cause death.

Decompensation in this case manifests itself in the form of deep depression or a nervous breakdown. Unfortunately, the dynamics of stress at the “exhaustion” stage are already irreversible. A person can get out of it only with the help of outside help (medical). The patient needs to take sedatives, as well as the help of a psychologist who will help him overcome difficulties and find a way out of the current situation.

Stress is a dangerous thing that can lead to the development of severe psychological illnesses. Therefore, it is very important, even in the initial stages of its manifestation, to learn how to deal with it on your own.

A prolonged and intense stressful state, or distress, leads to increased blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, digestive problems, gastritis and colitis, headaches, and decreased libido.

The main cause of stress is the abundance of situations that we perceive as dangerous, combined with the inability to adequately respond to them. At the same time, mechanisms are launched that are designed to mobilize all the forces of the body. They lead to the appearance of the above symptoms.

The main physiological mechanism of stress is hormonal. Stress begins with a significant release of adrenaline and norepinephrine. Accordingly, its manifestations are effects characteristic of the action of adrenaline. The body's response to stress is the same for all people. Therefore, three main stages of stress can be distinguished. They were described by Hans Selye in 1936.

Alarm stage

This stage is a reaction to released stress hormones, aimed at preparing for defense or flight. Adrenal hormones (adrenaline and norepinephrine), the immune and digestive systems participate in its formation. In this phase, the body's resistance to disease decreases sharply. Appetite, food absorption and elimination are impaired. In the case of a quick resolution of the situation or the possibility of a natural reaction to the stressor (flight, fight or any other physical activity), these changes pass without a trace. If the stressful situation is prolonged, without the possibility of an adequate response or is excessively strong, the body’s reserves are depleted. Extremely strong stressors, especially of a physiological nature (hypothermia or overheating, burns, injuries), can be fatal.

Stage of resistance (resistance)

The transition of stress to this stage occurs if the body’s adaptive capabilities allow it to cope with the stressor. During this stage of stress, the functioning of the body continues, practically indistinguishable from normal. Physiological and psychological processes are transferred to a higher level, all body systems are mobilized. Psychological manifestations of stress (anxiety, excitability, aggression) decrease or disappear altogether. However, the body’s ability to adapt is not endless, and as the stress continues, the next stage of stress occurs.

Exhaustion stage

In some ways similar to the first stage of stress. But in this case, further mobilization of the body’s reserves is impossible. Therefore, the physiological and psychological symptoms of this stage are actually a cry for help. At this stage, somatic diseases develop, and a lot of psychological disorders appear. With continued exposure to stressors, decompensation and severe illness occur, in the worst case, even death. When psychological causes of stress predominate, decompensation manifests itself in the form of severe depression or a nervous breakdown. The dynamics of stress at this stage are irreversible. Getting out of a stressful state is possible only with outside help. This may involve eliminating the stressor or helping to overcome it.

Causes of stress

Traditionally, the causes of stress are divided into physiological (biological stress) and psychological (psychoeotional). Physiological ones include direct traumatic effects and unfavorable environmental conditions. This could be heat or cold, injury, lack of water and food, threat to life and other factors that directly affect health.

In modern conditions, psychological causes of stress are much more common. There are informational and emotional forms of psychological stress. They are united by the absence of a direct threat to health, a long duration of exposure to stressors and the impossibility of a natural reaction to stress. Conflicts, excessive workload, the need to constantly generate ideas, or vice versa, too monotonous work, high responsibility lead to constant strain on the body's reserves. Psychosomatic diseases in most cases develop precisely as a result of psychological stress.

Recently, the body’s reaction to living in unnatural conditions has increasingly been identified as a separate type – environmental stress. Among its causes are not only air, water and food pollution. Living in high-rise buildings, active use of transport, household appliances, electrical appliances, changes in the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness for a long time have a detrimental effect on the human body.

Stress therapy

At the first stage of stress, a person can easily cope with it on his own. And starting from the second, he needs support and help from the outside. Stress therapy is necessarily comprehensive and includes both therapeutic measures, psychological assistance, and lifestyle changes.

Therapeutic measures for biological stress are limited to the elimination of the traumatic factor and medical care. Due to the absence of long-term hormonal imbalances, the body can recover on its own.

In the case of psychological and environmental stress, complex therapeutic measures are required.

• Lifestyle changes. The first and main condition for successful recovery. It implies changes in all areas of life, bringing them closer to more natural ones: going to bed no later than 23.00, changing the diet towards greater consumption of minimally processed foods, fighting excess weight, increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption, etc.
• Exercise is a key method of dealing with stress. During physical activity, the natural mechanism of adrenaline utilization is activated. In this way, you can prevent the occurrence of stress or significantly reduce its manifestations. Moreover, with exercise lasting more than a minute, endorphins begin to be released - hormones of happiness and pleasure. The direct type of physical activity is selected individually, based on the capabilities of a particular person; it can vary from walking to active work in the gym.
• Psychological assistance consists of teaching methods of relaxation and forgiveness, facilitating the experience of conflict situations.
• Drug treatment is necessary when somatic pathology is associated and is selected individually.

Comments and feedback:

A few years ago I experienced what stress is. The pattern of its occurrence is simple - first, regular problems at work, then the death of my father, my serious illness, failure in a relationship (divorce). Basically, I'm broken. I got out only with the help of a change of environment - I dropped everything and went on vacation with friends to the Altai Mountains for two weeks. By the way, I also took Afobazol at the same time, but I’m sure that it was mainly the trip and the support of friends that helped me.

Stages of stress in psychology: signs and overcoming

Stressful conditions are an inevitable part of the existence of a living organism. Among them there are not only negative effects on humans, but also positive ones. To avoid the negative consequences of stress, you need to be able to manage it. Methods for preventing and eliminating the negative effects of stress depend on the stage of this condition. In modern psychology, this direction offers a clear, structured approach to understanding the mechanism of stress development and its management.

The stereotypical perception of the concept of “stress” as a complex of unpleasant events and associated experiences, physical and psychological discomfort, distorts the true meaning of this term. The body's reaction to any intense stimulus that requires adaptation and adaptation is associated with stress. From this point of view, a strong gust of cold wind, which forces you to raise your collar and pull your hat deeper, is also stress. The reaction it causes is an adaptive mechanism that is activated reflexively or consciously. If you cannot quickly find a way to adapt to the influence of the stimulus, a feeling of discomfort arises. It turns out that in everyday language the name “stress” is assigned not to the action that causes a reaction, but to the unsuccessful experience of adapting to it.

Stress can also be positive. Wealth that suddenly falls on a person is also a great stress, as is the emergence of new opportunities and a change in status. All these changed conditions will require adjustment and adaptation. The joy of motherhood is a powerful stress on both the physical and emotional levels. Postpartum depression is the result of unsuccessful overcoming and a sign of maladaptation to a new role, new responsibilities, restrictions and responsibilities.

Stressful exposure activates all the body’s forces and requires a quick search for adaptive capabilities. During the rapid search for means of adaptation to changed conditions, the activity of the internal organ systems is activated. The adrenal glands, hypothalamus and pituitary gland begin to work especially intensively, releasing a high amount of hormones. Due to this, people are able to make quick decisions in difficult situations.

Thanks to the successful search for adaptation mechanisms, the emotional and psychological spheres of a person develop, and their physical capabilities are strengthened and improved. This direction in psychology is being actively developed by domestic psychologist Oleg Torsunov. According to his concept, it is impossible to talk about the need to completely get rid of stress. This will make a person more defenseless, unable to adapt to changing conditions. The development of the adaptation mechanism is a prerequisite for survival and evolutionary development.

The inability to properly manage one’s condition in such conditions limits adaptation capabilities and reduces the development potential that opens up through successful coping with stress.

But excessive systematic stress loads have a debilitating effect on the human psyche and on his body as a whole.

Stress is varied in nature and causes, but they all develop according to a common logic. For the first time, the Canadian scientist Hans Selye managed to systematize the available data on the characteristics of stress. In 1936, he published the results of many years of observations of the reaction of a living organism to stress. Emotional and psychological changes in stressful situations and the physiology of reactions under conditions of excessive stress were analyzed. This allowed us to conclude that there is a three-phase structure in the development of the reaction under the influence of excess stimuli, called the “Selye triad”.

In his first works on the triad, the scientist used the term “adaptation syndrome” and understood by it the ability of a living organism to adapt to changing environmental conditions, mobilizing available resources. The mechanism of development of the stress response, according to the researcher’s observations, turned out to be common to humans, animals and plants and consisted of three successive stages:

• alarm (alarm-reaction);
• resistant (stage of resistance);
• exhaustion.

Stages of stress according to G. Selye

The original English names of stress phases allow us to more accurately understand their characteristics.

At the alarm stage, a mechanism is triggered that resembles a fire alarm in its operation. There comes a realization that the usual conditions have changed a lot. It's not necessarily a feeling of danger. The unexpected appearance of a long-awaited guest will inevitably cause a flurry of emotions and push you to take active action, although the situation itself does not pose any threats. Acute stress reactions occur, the range of which is very wide - from incredible activity to complete stupor. At this time, the living body connects all available reserves, all systems work intensively, and a huge amount of hormones are released into the blood to stabilize the condition.

Gradually the reaction becomes more balanced. Stress enters the stage of resistance, when the body steadily resists external influences. During this stage, actions are taken to adapt to new conditions. Depending on the effectiveness of adaptation, behavior can be reorganized and disorganized. In the first case, it is customary to talk about eustress, when the mobilization of all resources made it possible to fully adapt to new conditions and enter the comfort zone. If it is not possible to adapt, distress occurs, the manifestations of which are panic, despondency, deterioration in physical well-being, and decreased emotional background. Purposeful activity is destroyed, the adaptation mechanism does not work. Throughout the resistant stage, the body works within its capabilities. Its activity is much higher than with the usual level of resistance. The adaptation process requires maximum stress in the physical and emotional spheres.

Therefore, after the adaptation phase is completed, the exhaustion stage begins. Its course depends on the results obtained at the previous stage. With successful adaptation, a feeling of fatigue, drowsiness, and emptiness may occur. If it is not possible to adapt to the stressor, emotional collapse, denial, a feeling of hopelessness, melancholy, and depression develop. Many somatic diseases are also associated with unsuccessful adaptation experiences. If the stress was powerful, and the inability to effectively adapt led to fatal consequences, at the exhaustion stage there is a high risk of developing personality deformations and mental disorders.

By analyzing the phases of stress development, scientists study the mechanism of a living organism’s response to an intense stimulus, the impact of which requires adaptation to new conditions.

Selye's triad characterizes only the main stages of the adaptation syndrome.

Studies of the transition stage from the resistant stage to exhaustion have made it possible to expand Selye's triad. The works of domestic scientists L. A. Kitaev-Smyk, L. E. Panin, A. M. Karpov give a more accurate idea of ​​how exactly the adaptation process occurs.

Extended model of Selye's triad

The first two phases coincide with Selye’s triad: from the moment the negative impact begins, a primary shock occurs (corresponds to the alarm stage), which is replaced by the adaptation (resistance) phase. In the extended model, this stage includes phases of compensation and growth. The first represents the awareness of successful adaptation to a stressor. If the negative impact continues and the adaptation mechanism is not found or is not effective enough, fatigue increases, which can result in destruction. If adaptation is successful, the effects of stress cease. According to this concept, effective compensation avoids the exhaustion phase.

Selye's triad and the extended model of adaptation syndrome refer only to acute stresses that affect a living organism simultaneously. With chronic stress, the effects of several stressors overlap. Stressful situations can arise simultaneously or follow each other, leaving no opportunity to fully go through all phases of adaptation. Therefore, the stages of development of chronic stress are completely different, since they require an adaptive response over a long period of time.

Domestic teaching L.A. Kitaev-Smyk established that under the influence of chronic stress, in parallel with the classical Selye triad, other reactions arise, the purpose of which is to adapt not only to the intensity of the stimulus, but also to the duration of its impact.

Adaptive activity under long-term stress

In the diagram, number 1 indicates the emotional activity that occurs at the onset of exposure to a stressor (corresponds to the alarm stage according to Selye). After this comes the resistance phase, which requires concentration and relative emotional passivity (2). But due to the fact that in this case the stress is chronic, at the same moment the influence of another stressor begins, which again causes an acute emotional reaction (3).

The first two stresses are joined by the third (4), fourth (6) and so on. As a result, the phase of emotional passivity, which is necessary for effective adaptation to the conditions of at least one of the stressors, may never occur. This situation is extremely dangerous. Therefore, being under conditions of chronic stress, it is necessary to differentiate between negative impacts and divide the entire complex situation into several small ones. With this approach, there is a greater chance of ensuring a transition to the productive phase of adaptation, which requires the absence of an acute emotional reaction and a rational approach to finding a way to adapt (5, 7).

In this sense, we can say that organizing one’s actions under conditions of chronic stress is a separate large Selye triad, in which first there is a feeling of panic from the number of problems (alarm stage), after which successful adaptation to difficult conditions is necessary, turning off unproductive emotions and finding ways solving the problem (resistance stage), which will either result in complete compensation or lead to exhaustion.

Since people's response to stress depends on their temperament, past experiences of adaptation, and a host of internal and external factors, in psychology it is common to talk about different types of adaptation.

According to the type of response, they are divided:

Phases of stress depending on a person’s personal characteristics

People with the ox reaction are in a situation of chronic negative influences. They adapted to this by maintaining a moderate level of tension with small spikes and short periods of passivity. Such people are able to remain calm and perform routine work, but they will not be able to solve a complex problem in a short time. This type of adaptation to stress is suitable for people whose work involves performing repetitive operations, constant monitoring of the routine course of events, and timely reaction to minor deviations from the norm. Ox stress is ineffective in conditions where periods of calm and acute stress alternate, requiring active and prompt action.

People with the Leo reaction are under the influence of periodically occurring very intense stress, overcoming which requires maximum effort. At the peak phase of activity, they have to reach the maximum level of their adaptive capabilities in order to solve the problems that have arisen. After the task is completed, a period of prolonged passivity begins, which will end only with the emergence of new stress. This type is typical for managers and people in creative professions. Leo stress is ineffective under conditions of chronic stress and routine work.

The rabbit's reaction is typical of people who solve all problems by eliminating themselves. They are ready to give up any benefits if, under new conditions, additional efforts are required to preserve them. Their resistance phase is incredibly short and consists of making a decision not to fight, not to resist, not to look for possible options, but to simply agree with what is offered. This is the shortest tactic, harmless in the face of minor everyday problems. In business matters it will lead to serious losses.

This or that type of reaction is sometimes characteristic of a person in all situations, and can be consciously chosen for the most effective solution to a problem, taking into account its characteristics.

Understanding the mechanism of stress and understanding the logic of its development is the main tool for managing the development of events and successfully adapting to changing conditions.

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Stress: stages of development

The creator of the stress theory is the Canadian physician Hans Hugo Bruno Selye. The scientist defined this concept as a set of nonspecific reactions of the human body aimed at preparing it for flight, struggle and resistance. Stress can be both psychological and physiological. Of course, the first option is more interesting. Therefore, now I would like to talk about psychological stress, the stages of its development, causes, symptoms and many other nuances.

Prerequisites

The factors that provoke the emergence of a tense state number in the hundreds. Each person has their own specifics. What may drive one person into a state of deep stress will not affect another. Therefore, it is impossible to list all the reasons. However, the main ones are fine. Here are the most common prerequisites:

• Conflicts (at home, at work, with friends, with strangers).
• Dissatisfaction (with oneself, others, life, the world, work).
• Lack of money and financial problems.
• Routine.
• Lack of rest, useful changes and positive emotions.
• Health problems, excess weight, lack of beneficial microelements in the body.
• Death of someone close.
• Fears and phobias, dependence on other people's opinions.
• Loneliness and problems in personal life, lack of sexual activity.

All of the above really affects a person’s state of mind. And in the overwhelming majority of cases, worries about one thing or another, attempts to solve problems and cope with the situation develop into stress, accompanied by chronic internal tension.

Start

Experts distinguish three stages of stress. The first is characterized by the activation and mobilization of all the body's defenses. This is done through the restructuring of the hormonal and nervous systems. Why? Because with the onset of prolonged tension, catabolic processes begin to prevail over anabolic ones.

This condition is often called “pre-launch fever.” And her examples surround us everywhere. This condition is experienced by students before exams, bachelors on the eve of their thesis defense, impressionable artists on the verge of a performance, athletes at the start line, and patients shortly before surgery.

The stronger the fever, the more a person loses energy and strength for further action. This means that subsequently he will be less protected from circumstances. This is similar to the state of an athlete who “burned out” at the start. But staying calm also hurts. Without a dose of adrenaline, the body does not mobilize the forces necessary to repel stress.

Second stage

It can be called adaptive. At this stage, a person, like his body, begins to resist the state that causes stress. The stage following the notorious “fever” is characterized by special specificity.

The body enters a homeostatic state as the prevailing conditions require it. In this regard, anabolic processors take precedence over catabolic ones.

General adaptation syndrome

This is what accompanies the second stage. At the physiological level, this syndrome can be characterized by:

• Increased weight and muscle mass or exhaustion.
• An increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood.
• Overstrain of the adrenal cortex.
• Decreased production of glucocorticoids.
• Atrophy of secretory tissue.
• Decreased skeletal muscle tone.
• A fall in blood pressure and blood volume.
• Increase in hematocrit.
• Increasing endurance without harm to the body.

This is what accompanies stress at this stage. The syndrome may not exist in its full manifestation. Again, it all depends on individual specifics. Take, for example, the last factor. Some people, faced with being overwhelmed at work (which is a powerful cause of stress), can actually work 18 hours a day to meet a deadline, and at the same time the quality of their work, as well as their health, will not worsen. It’s just that their forces are mobilized under the influence of powerful motivation.

But this is not the case for everyone. Others, on the contrary, feel severe chronic apathy, and simply cannot bring themselves to start doing something. So the syndrome manifests itself differently in everyone.

Third stage

It is considered the most dangerous because it is accompanied by physical and nervous exhaustion. Why is this happening? Because a person endured the previous stages of stress development without splashing out the accumulated energy. And this usually leads to excessive and prolonged overloads, which are a kind of threshold of the third stage.

This is very dangerous, since overload often results in serious illnesses of the psyche and body. They are also called “stress diseases.” These include neuroses, depression, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, immune system disorders, insomnia, breathing and digestive disorders, as well as many other serious problems.

Distress

It is worth noting that there are only two stages of stress according to Selye. The last, third, scientist called distress. Which is quite logical. Because the full name of this term is destructive stress. Which translated into simpler language means “disorder.”

It occurs if a person cannot cope with the emotional shocks that accompany the first two stages of stress at every step. This can happen for various reasons. Most often due to a lack of skill to resist stress factors or due to depletion of energy reserves. The first symptoms of distress are the following:

• Fatigue.
• Irritability.
• Headaches and migraines.
• Fatigue and lethargy.
• Attacks of panic, fear, sadness, melancholy.
• The emergence of bad habits.
• Increased excitability, anxiety and nervousness.
• Dizziness, rapid heartbeat.

The list goes on. But even the most seemingly insignificant manifestations deserve to take care of yourself and cope with stress. Otherwise it can develop into depression, which is much worse.

Eustress

This phenomenon is also worth mentioning. The fact is that there are different types of stress. The stages of stress, depending on the specific “classification”, also differ. So, eustress is a concept that is directly opposite to distress.

This is a useful phenomenon. To be more precise – stress caused by positive emotions. But due to the specifics of the process, its occurrence still activates the body’s defense mechanisms. However, the person is confident that he will be able to cope with the situation and has the necessary energy, strength and knowledge to do so.

During eustress, a clear elation and surge of strength is felt. The person becomes so collected that it surprises even him. He becomes capable of something that he seemingly did not expect from himself.

Emotional stress

It’s also worth talking about. This concept refers to the emotional processes that accompany stress and lead to adverse changes in the body. The fact is that in moments of tension they develop faster than others. As a result, the autonomic nervous system with endocrine support is activated. As a result, everything leads to disruptions in the functioning of the body.

Emotional stress is a very complex phenomenon. Because it is based on a conflict situation in which a person fails to satisfy his biological or social needs.

Often the reason lies in the expansion of the range of social interaction. All people live in a society where it is rare to exist without encounters with leadership, self-doubt, rivalry, competition and hostility.

And, of course, one cannot fail to mention the special susceptibility of the urban population to emotional stress. Its representatives exist in increasing urbanization, ever-increasing amounts of information, forced contacts with other people and lack of time. This lifestyle leads to disruption of peace and emotional balance. But these are key human needs.

About duration

Well, a lot has been said about what stress is. The stages and their specifics can also be considered an open topic. But it is also worth briefly noting the duration of the phenomena under consideration. That is, what the notorious stages, stress reactions and their prerequisites are directly related to.

There are short-term phenomena. Such stress arises and develops rapidly. And they also disappear quickly - as soon as the pathogenic factor is removed. For example, a student is going to an important exam. He is nervous and worried. But as soon as the student passes the exam, the reason for worry (the pathogenic factor) disappears, and he calms down.

And there is chronic stress. The one that attacks a person constantly, every day. As a result, the body gets used to this state. Stress becomes a way of life for a person, and often everything ends in complex illnesses, the emergence of phobias, fears, and even suicide.

Troubleshooting

Based on all of the above, you can understand what stress is. The stages of development of this condition are also obvious in their manifestation. And you can cope with this condition only if you catch it in time. To do this, it is enough to pay due attention to your health.

In order not to go through all three stages of stress development, you need to remove the irritating factor. Does your job bring you nothing but problems? It's time to quit. Friends do nothing but provoke conflict? You need to stop communicating with them. Does the constantly repeating routine of “Groundhog Day” almost lead to hysterics? This means that you need to take a vacation and go on a trip.

You could give a dozen more examples, but the essence is clear. What causes trouble must leave a person’s life forever.

Rehabilitation

Having removed the irritating factor, you need to begin physiological procedures for relieving stress. After all, as already mentioned, it affects not only mental health. Here is a whole range of activities recommended by experts for rehabilitation:

• Complete rest and 100% relaxation. And under no circumstances at home - you need to change the environment. It is better to go to nature, to fresh air.
• Healthy sleep.
• Updated diet. It’s worth starting to eat foods rich in microelements and vitamins.
• Relaxing baths, aromatherapy and massage.
• Normalization of breathing.
• Daily walks before bed.

And, of course, you need to start getting used to leading an active lifestyle. Lack of physical activity cannot but have a negative impact on your health. You should start cycling or rollerblading, sign up for a swimming pool, buy a gym membership, or at least do morning exercises. It's amazing how much sport inspires you. Physical activity can really help you get through all stages of stress. There have been (and will be) many examples in psychology of people returning to normal thanks to sports.

Types of stress and its stages

The set of various adverse reactions that predominantly occur in the human body due to the influence of negative factors is called stressful situations or stress. In simple terms, stress is a psychological, physiological and moral disorder of a person that occurs due to the influence of the following factors:

These are just a few of the main causes of stress, but in fact there are many more of them, which are very unfavorable for a person. Stress accompanies every person every day, this unfavorable ailment affects everyone, so it is important to know the main types and stages of such disorders, as well as ways to combat and prevent them.

Types of stress

The final result of the development of stress led to its division into two types:

These types of stress have opposite characteristics, so let's look at them in more detail.

1. Eustress is an effect on the human body predominantly from a positive side. In this case, the disorder is justified by positive emotions, which the person is ready for and is confident that he can cope with them. Eustress is also called the awakening reaction, since positive emotions are the main driving force of a person to positive actions. This type is a kind of portion of adrenaline received by a person due to any positive excitement or joy. Eustress is not a dangerous form of the disease and has predominantly positive properties.
2. Distress is the reverse reaction of eustress on the body. Distress occurs due to the impact of critical overstrain on the body. It is distress that is the main type of stress and, accordingly, psychological disorder in a person. Distress is also called harmful stress, since it only contributes to a negative effect on the body and the development of other types of diseases in humans.

Distress is divided, in turn, into the following subtypes:

Each of the presented species has a negative impact on humans, thereby causing various disorders and diseases. Stress can arise spontaneously in the event of unfavorable news, or accumulate over the years. The accumulated type is the most dangerous, as against its background the development of a chronic disease occurs, from which it is impossible to get rid of.

Let's take a closer look at what each subtype of distress is.

• Psychological and emotional distress. This illness is associated exclusively with experiences against the background of various emotions. The consequences of the psychological type of disease are unfavorable relationships with society. The emotional appearance occurs during the influence on the body of both positive emotions (eustress) and negative ones (distress). Emotional types include, for example, an increase in wages, a promotion, or the death of a loved one.
• Physiological distress. This type occurs due to the negative impact on the body of the following factors: heat, hunger, thirst, cold, love and others. If one of the factors presented above exposes one’s body, a person is forced to cause harm to himself. Even after the cessation of exposure to these factors, a person continues to develop an unfavorable condition. As a result of exposure to negative factors, the following series of negative consequences arises: lack of sleep, stomach problems, overwork and others.
• Chronic distress. This type is the most dangerous, since a person is exposed to negative influences on a daily basis, even without the presence of appropriate reasons. The consequences for the chronic type are the most unfavorable, as they lead to the development of suicide, depression, nervous breakdown, etc. Often people diagnosed with chronic stress end up in a psychiatric hospital. The disease has no cure, which makes it even more dangerous.
• Nervous distress. This type occurs mainly under the influence of excessive stress. It can affect both a completely healthy person and people diagnosed with anxiety neurosis. The development of this species is influenced mainly by the individual conditions of the human nervous system.

There are also two additional types: managerial and information stress.

Informational is characterized by provoking frustration due to the lack of information to make an important decision. Very often a person on the path has to face moments when he immediately has to make a decision and both his future and the future of other people will depend on its result.

The managerial view is something similar to the information view, but the only difference is the responsibility for the decision made.

Thus, knowing the main types of stress, let’s consider the causes of their occurrence.

Causes

The main causes of psycho-emotional disorders in humans are considered to be so-called stressors. There are three groups of stressors, which have their own causes.

1. Uncontrollable. These include the following reasons for the negative impact on a person: taxes, worsening weather, increased exchange rates, inflation. Under the influence of such reasons, a person becomes more and more nervous and worried every day, resulting in mental disorders.
2. Subjects. These are the reasons that a person can correct, but does not do so due to lack of self-confidence and other signs. An example of such reasons are: inability to plan the day, inability to determine priorities, etc.
3. Unauthorized. Caused by turning everyday life into a problem. A person worries about every little thing, as a result of which everything is deposited in the brain and over time gives its negative impact.

The cause of chronic stress is any negative psychological disorder that accompanies a person for a long time.

For your information! Many consider everyday life stressful and believe that treating nervous disorders is unnecessary. But few people know that all fatal, oncological and mental endings come precisely from stress.

Symptoms

Almost every person has psychological disorders, so it is important to know the main symptoms of stress so that it can be detected for the purpose of further treatment. Symptoms of stress for each type are almost identical and are characterized by the following manifestations:

• The person experiences an increase in anxiety;
• Constant tension, which makes it impossible for a person to relax;
• Manifestation of short temper, anxiety, nervousness, irritability and aggression.
• The occurrence of inadequate reactions to various stimuli;
• Decreased concentration;
• The appearance of apathy, melancholy;
• Feeling depressed and depressed;
• Inability to enjoy pleasant events;
• Feeling of dissatisfaction and resentment towards others;
• Capriciousness towards the smallest details;
• Dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract: the patient either loses appetite, or, conversely, begins to eat more often;
• Sleep disturbance, insomnia and early awakening;
• There is a change in behavior for the worse.

All these symptoms are the main signs of psychological disorders in a person and indicate that you need to immediately consult a doctor.

Stages and symptoms

The stages of stress, or they are also called phases, are divided into three stages, through which a psychological illness occurs. So, the stages of stress are called:

The anxiety stage occurs when a stimulus directly affects the human body. As a result of the negative influence, stress hormones are released, which are aimed primarily at protection or escape. The adrenal glands, digestive system and immunity take part in the construction of this stage. At the very beginning of this stage, a sharp decrease in the body’s protective function occurs, which leads to the manifestation of various diseases. If the anxiety stage is resolved over a short period of time (i.e. physical fight, flight, decision-making), then the symptoms of the disease disappear, but there is always a tendency for them to appear. In case of prolonged influence on the body, its constant depletion occurs. In some critical situations, the initial stage leads to death.

The symptoms of the initial stage are almost unnoticeable, since the person attributes all negative manifestations to fatigue. Often the initial stage is characterized by nervousness, agitation and a state of constant or periodic tension.

Resistance stage. In the case of a predominance of the force of the stressor over the body’s ability to adapt, signs of anxiety disappear and the level of the body’s resistance increases.

Resistance moves to a higher level, and, in turn, anxiety, nerves and aggression disappear or reduce their manifestations. If you do not solve the problem of stress in time, the body will not be able to provide long-term resistance and the stage of exhaustion will begin.

Symptoms of the second stage are mainly caused by increased fatigue of the body, even if the person did not perform physical and intellectual activities. Nervousness, anxiety, frequent headaches and even dizziness are also observed. Shortness of breath and tachycardia begin to appear, digestion is disrupted and trembling of the limbs is noticed.

Exhaustion stage. The limit of the body's resistance noticeably decreases and the first stage begins to gain momentum, but without the possibility of reversible processes. The third stage almost always has a sad outcome; if the stressor acted as a physical irritant, then the person will face death, and in the case of a psychological aggressor, problems corresponding to this level are observed.

Symptoms of this stage are mainly characterized by the appearance of constant apathy, bad mood, and inability to have fun. Often in the last stage, a person experiences sleep disturbance, which leads to lack of sleep and drowsiness while awake.

The stages of stress have not yet been fully studied, and their study continues to this day, so medicine does not stand still and is looking for radical solutions to the global type of disease.

Prevention and treatment

If we talk about stress prevention, then, unfortunately, this is a rather difficult stage, because even pessimists exhibit these symptoms. To get rid of emotional influence, a person needs to spend time with his family more often, enjoy life, praise himself and his loved ones, enjoy life, relax, take breaks and distract from problems at work or at home with the help of hobbies and hobbies. Such unloading will not only help you get rid of signs of stress, but will make your life easier.

If, for many reasons, a person does not have the opportunity for such preventive actions, then it is necessary to resort to drug treatment in a timely manner. The main helpers will be pills and potions for apathy, nerves and stress. In such situations, tablets and mixtures based on various medicinal and, most importantly, natural herbs are especially valued.

Important! Before starting self-medication, you should consult a doctor for advice and diagnosis. If problems are detected, the doctor will prescribe or recommend medications that will actually have a positive effect.

Today the most popular medications are:

In case of exacerbation of psychological disorders, treatment with more serious medications will be required: tranquilizers, non-steroids or benzodiazepines and beta-blockers.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment of stress, which is the key to health and longevity. Learn to be happy and you can get rid of many problems and diseases.

With the help of exercise and abstinence, most people can do without medicine.

Symptoms and treatment of human diseases

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All information provided is subject to mandatory consultation with your attending physician!

Questions and suggestions:

Stress (English stress – pressure, pressure, tension) is a condition that occurs in response to extreme exposure – a stressor [43]. The word “stress” came into English, and now into Russian, from Old French and Medieval English and was initially pronounced as “distress”. The first syllable gradually disappeared due to “smearing” or “swallowing” and now the word “stress” is understood to mean “ distress" (English distress - grief, need).

Distress always harmful or unpleasant [40, p.29], causes negative emotions, a feeling of displeasure. In contrast to him “eustress” causes positive emotions, a feeling of pleasure. Of course, it would be more convenient to divide the concept of “stress” into “distress” and “eustress” and operate with these two concepts, but the use of the word “stress” in the sense of “distress” has become so widely and deeply used that in order to avoid misunderstandings we will think that stress – a state of mental tension that causes negative emotions.

Depending on the stress factor, there are two main types of stress: physiological And psychological. Psychological will be divided into informational And emotional; the latter develops in situations of threat, danger, resentment, etc.

Eustress Distress

Physiological Psychological

Informational Emotional

Figure 17 – Types of stress

The founder of the concept of stress, Canadian physician Hans Selye (1907–1982) in 1936, established that any type of stress causes the same type (nonspecific) reaction of the body, which became known as general adaptation syndrome (GAS) [40, p.35]. In it, G. Selye identified three phases (stages): first – reaction of alarm and mobilization of the body’s defenses. In this phase, the body begins to adapt to new conditions. At this stage, a person copes with the load through the functional mobilization of the relevant organs and systems of the body, without structural changes.

In the second phase - resistance phase– all parameters that were brought out of balance in the first phase are stabilized and fixed at a new level. There is an intensive overexpenditure of adaptation reserves. The duration of resistance depends on the innate adaptive ability of the body and the strength of the stressor. If the stressful situation continues to persist, then the third phase begins - exhaustion, because the ability to adapt is not unlimited.

Duration of stress

1 – phase of the alarm reaction and mobilization of all forces

2 - phase of resistance and adaptation

3 – exhaustion phase

Figure 18 – Three phases of stress

In the third phase, so-called adaptation diseases or stress diseases may appear, when the body’s adaptive reaction acts as a pathogenic factor (for example, inflammatory changes in joints, eye tissues, hypertension, neuropsychiatric disorders. Excess of steroid hormones, for example, the release of which is the body's first endocrine reaction to stress; with frequent and intense stress, it can contribute to the occurrence of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (steroid ulcer), etc.

Emotional stress- a state of tension in body functions caused by exposure to an emotionally significant stimulus for the individual. The main cause of emotional stress is conflict situations in which a person for a long time cannot satisfy an urgent, vital social or biological need.

Failure of one or another function of an organ (for example, the secretion of bile, insulin and other hormones, gastric juice, immunoglobulins, etc. and the development of the corresponding disease are due to genetic predisposition and their selective involvement in emotional arousal.

Observations and experiments have shown that the development of emotional stress in a conflict situation in different individuals can lead to different results.

With high stress resistance, there may not be any violations. In other cases, either disturbances in the activity of the nervous system may develop in the form neuroses, or violations somatic functions of individual organs in the form of coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, etc. In certain cases, a combined violation of both functions may be observed.

Which organ will be damaged as a result of stress? Hans Selye himself, who studied the physiological mechanisms of adaptation to stress in the laboratory for almost four decades, believes that adaptation diseases selectively affect predisposed body area. “But whether the heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract or brain are affected depends largely on random conditioning factors. In the body, as in a chain, the weakest link breaks, although all links are equally under load” [Selye, p. 40].

Research has shown that the degree of exposure to stress is largely determined by temperament. Choleric and melancholic people are more susceptible to it.

The influence of stress on activity [Karpov, p. ]

The effect of stress on activity depends on the phase of stress.

Mobilization phase– stress has a sthenic effect on all mental and physiological processes. All the body's resources are mobilized, perception, attention, memory are sharpened, long-term memory is transformed into increased readiness, originality, productivity and creativity of thinking increases. Observed the phenomenon of hyperactivation of thinking and other processes. The ability to formulate alternatives and analyze them increases, which increases the efficiency of decision-making processes. Performance results improve.

Adaptation phase – a person adapts to the current situation, all functioning parameters are fixed at a new level - the person “gets involved” and gets used to it. Performance indicators are consistently high. But a person cannot work “at the limit” for long. Sooner or later exhaustion sets in.

Exhaustion phase – the phase when strength is exhausted and the psyche begins to malfunction. How far can this go? To consider the phenomena occurring in this phase, we divide this phase into two stages: disorder stage (corresponds to the branch of the graph descending to the level of normal mental activity) Andstage of destruction (corresponds to the branch of the graph below the x-axis - which has passed down beyond the line of the level of normal mental activity) - see figure .

On stage of the disorder changes occur primarily in the cognitive sphere, therefore the productivity and adequacy of information processing and creativity of thinking decreases. The scope of perception narrows, the quality of RAM decreases, and the ability to retrieve information from long-term memory decreases - observed the phenomenon of blocking past experience. Particularly significant changes are characteristic of thinking. His stereotypicality increases, productivity and ability to adequately process information sharply decrease. The search for a solution is replaced by attempts to remember solutions encountered previously ( phenomenon reproduction thinking); originality of thinking decreases ( phenomenon flattening of thinking).

For activity as a whole, attempts to organize it become characteristic not by the type of creating a method adequate to the situation, but by the type of finding a familiar method in past experience (the phenomenon algorithmized activities). In management decision-making processes, a phenomenon arises global reactions. It consists of a tendency to choose too general and imprecise options for action; decisions lose specificity and feasibility; in addition, they become either impulsive or overly drawn out - inert. It is clear that performance results are significantly deteriorating.

Destruction stage is characterized by a complete disintegration of the ability to organize activity and significant disturbances in the mental processes that ensure it. There may be a phenomenon blockade of perception, pacrumpling, thinking(phenomena such as “I don’t see or hear anything, I don’t understand”, “it’s dark in my eyes”, the phenomenon of a “white veil”, as well as memory loss, “switching off thinking”, “intellectual stupor”, etc.). The main regularity of the destruction phase in terms of the general organization of activity and behavior is that they take on one of two main forms: destruction by type hyperarousal and destruction by type hyperinhibition In the first case, behavior becomes completely chaotic, constructed as a chaotic sequence of unorganized actions, actions, impulsive reactions - the person “does not find a place for himself.”

In the second case, on the contrary, there is a complete blockade of activity and behavioral activity, a state of inhibition and numbness, “switched off” from the situation arises. The destruction phase is no longer characterized simply by a decrease in efficiency indicators

Karpov A.V. writes the following: However, along with general reactions, there are also quite pronounced individualsignificant differences in response to stress influences. They are expressed in the comparative duration of the indicated phases; in their general dynamics; depending on performance indicators on the strength of stress influences. To denote the “measure of a person’s resistance to stress”, the concept is used stress resistance personality. This is the ability to maintain high levels of mental functioning and activity under increasing stress loads. An important aspect of stress resistance is the ability not only to maintain, but also to increase indicators of efficiency and productivity under stressful conditions. In other words, this ability depends on how strongly the first phase of stress development is represented in a person - the mobilization phase.

Depending on the degree of stress resistance, as well as the ability to withstand stress for a long time, there are three main types of personalities. They differ in how for a long time a person can maintain stability (resistance) to the temporary pressure of chronic stressful conditions, which characterizes his individual threshold of stress resistance. Alone Leaders can withstand stressful workloads for long periods of time by adapting to the stress. Other even with relatively short-term stress influences they already fail. Still others– in general, they can only work effectively under stress. Accordingly, these three types are designated as "ox stress", "rabbit stress" and "lion stress"(drawing) [according to Karpov, p. 459].

Under conditions of long-term stress, which is most characteristic of a leader’s activities, individual differences in resistance to it also appear depending on the parameter internality–externality personality. Typically, resistance is significantly higher in people of the interval type and lower in external people. The methods of adaptation and overcoming stress for the former are more constructive in nature, while for the latter they can be based on the type of refusal to actively and constructively overcome the situation (“come what may”).

Work intensity

Limits

"Ox Stress"

Conditional limit of stress loads

its general breakdown (which corresponds to the extreme values ​​of the descending branch of the graph in Fig. 19 ).

."Lion Stress"

10 Operating time

Rice. 19. The main types of personal resistance to stress according to

Another important condition for stress resistance is general motivational focus personality, its dominant orientation is either personal and career (“ on myself"), or socio-professional (" to the point"). It has been shown that the dominance of personal, including career, motives reduces stress resistance, while the dominance of motives associated with a professional orientation increases it. In this regard, two forms of behavior under stress are described - the so-called fear control And hazard control. In the first case (characteristic of a personal orientation “on oneself”), a person looks for ways to protect himself, reduce the consequences of the situation for himself personally, loses control over the situation to a greater extent and, ultimately, therefore “gives up” constructive attempts to organize activities. In the second case, control over the situation is maintained longer: ensuring personal safety is built as an attempt to constructively overcome a dangerous situation, and through this, eliminate the consequences for oneself. The second type of behavior is significantly more effective, and for the activities of a leader it is generally the only acceptable one.

Objective characteristics of stress [Aismontas]

Physiological level:

motor stiffness or restlessness;

changing the sensitivity threshold within different limits;

impaired motor coordination;

yawning, unreasonable tears or laughter, flushing or paleness of the face, hyperhidrosis, finger tremor, body itching, etc.

Psychological level:

disorders of all types of memory in various combinations;

attention – scattered and easily distracted;

thinking – difficult or accelerated;

speech difficulty or activity;

perception – inadequate;

accelerated experience of time;

sensory disorders.

Socio-psychological level:

reduction in qualitative and quantitative performance indicators;

disruption of activities;

reactions at the extreme points of the “excitation - inhibition” scale (panic - stupor);

inappropriate behavior.

Types of stress by duration

1. Short-term

2. Episodic

3. Chronic

Types of stress depending on the cause

1. The stress of dashed hope

2. Stress of pre-launch states

3. Stress of wasted time

4. Stress of change

5. Stress of monotony

6. The stress of passivity

7. The stress of unattainable perfection

8. Stress of suddenness

9. Stress of satiety

10 Achievement stress.

Major stressors

1. Information overload

2. Information uncertainty

3. Responsibility

4. Lack of time

5. Interpersonal conflicts

6. Intrapersonal conflicts

7. Multifunctionality of activities

8. External environment

9. Forced inactivity

10. Dissatisfaction with work, salary, position

11. Feeling of uselessness, uselessness and helplessness

12. Career growth anxiety

13. Difficulties in relationships with management, colleagues, relatives

14. Dichotomy between work and family

15. "Weather in the House"

16. Feeling unwell

17. Lack of independence, being in a dependent position

18. Injustice.

What to do about these stressors? Divide all stressors into three groups:

1. Those you can eliminate

2. Those you can loosen

3. Those with which nothing can be done.

“Lord, give me the strength to change what I can change, patience to endure what I cannot change, and the intelligence to separate the first from the second.”

And behave accordingly: fight; humble yourself and endure; or leave eventually.

Absolutely every person, animal and even the simplest living organism experiences the effects of stress. For a person, both a joyful and a sad event are equally significant factors from the point of view of stress.

In general, there are a lot of terms and definitions of stress.

The very concept of “stress” was introduced in the first half of the twentieth century by the scientist and doctor Hans Selye. He was the first to notice that when exposed to stress factors, there are common response characteristics for most people. It was also Selye who established that when exposed to stress factors, the human body produces a large amount of adrenaline, which was called the stress hormone.

(stress - pressure, pressure (English)) - a set of adaptive and protective reactions of the body in response to any impact (both positive and negative). Selye himself gave the following example as an illustration: a woman who received news of her husband’s death in the war will, of course, experience stress from this sad event. But she will have to endure no less stress if suddenly, many years later, her husband, alive and healthy, appears on the doorstep of the house.

Stress is caused by so-called “stressors” - factors that cause stress, or stress factors.

Stressor (stress factor) - strong or prolonged exposure that leads to stress.

What is stress?

The fact is that stress is nothing more than an adaptive reaction of the body, which, in response to the occurrence of any difficult situation, requires the mobilization of all the forces of the body.

Thus, on the one hand, stress is a danger to the body, and on the other hand, it is a manifestation of its maximum adaptive capabilities. Not only people, but also animals can experience stress. Hans Selye himself, studying stress resistance and the strength of certain stressors, worked with rats, creating for them, as an experiment, unbearable living conditions.

Causes

There are two main types of stressors (R. Lazarus): mental (emotional) and physiological.

• Mental stressors- this is a feeling of threat, danger, novelty, the need to solve an overwhelming and difficult task, the need for risk, a sudden event, resentment, overload (in everyday life this is usually called “nervous stress.”)
• Physiological stressors- these are those conditions that directly affect the human body and lead to a violation of its integrity, inadequate environmental temperature conditions, pain, and difficulty breathing.

Stages of stress

Hans Selye identified 3 stages of stress development: mobilization, stabilization and exhaustion.

1. Mobilization stage- this is a feeling of anxiety that causes the body’s defenses to turn on, which normally allows it to increase its resistance to stressors. At this stage, a person is able to cope with stress, functioning in the usual way and showing practically no outward signs of stress. If the stressor continues to act, then a healthy body carries out a kind of structural “restructuring”.
2. Stabilization stage- the moment of consolidation in a new quality, at a new level of all the protective mechanisms of the subject. Outwardly, a person’s behavior may seem unchanged, but in reality, with continued exposure to stress factors, there is an overexpenditure of the reserve forces necessary for adaptation.
3. Exhaustion stage occurs when the source of stress continues to affect the body, and the stressful situation itself continues to persist. In some cases, the outcome of such exposure is a severe deterioration in health, the development of various diseases, or even death.

However, it should be noted that in the presence of the same stressful conditions, the reaction of people (and animals) to stress can be very different.

That is, the characteristics of experiencing stress depend not only on objective, but also from subjective factors:

• assessing a stressful situation, assessing its threat (a pack of dogs running towards them can be perceived by different people in completely different ways);
• experience (an experienced paratrooper and a person making a parachute jump for the first time will also react to this fact differently);
• expectations of the subject (an employee summoned to the boss’s office to receive a bonus, knowing this, will experience less stress than his colleague, to whom the purpose of the invitation to the superior’s office was not explained);
• a person's self-confidence;
• characteristics of the nervous system: for some people, activity in a stressful situation increases, forces are mobilized, functioning efficiency increases, for others passivity and general inhibition occur. However, this feature does not mean that a particular person will always be passive in all stressful situations.

Signs of stress

Signs of stress:

• sleep and appetite disturbances;
• restlessness and anxiety;
• decreased concentration, impaired memory and speed of thinking;
• inability to relax;
• a feeling of melancholy, pessimism, self-pity;
• behavior may become fussy, nail biting, lip biting, and tics appear.

If you notice such changes in yourself or your loved ones, try to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Often it is stress that provokes the development of diseases. Timely seeking help makes it possible to avoid serious health problems.

How to cope with stress

You can learn to cope with stress. This is possible on two levels:

• increasing the overall stress resistance of the body;
• organization of special psychological training, development of skills for instant assessment of the situation, emotional-volitional regulation and experience of behavior in specific, stressful conditions.

Thus, a person can be taught to act effectively even in a situation of severe stress, and skills in the field of self-healing can be developed in the event of the onset or threat of the onset of the stage of exhaustion (see above). But if a person, without certain self-help skills, experience, or sufficiently stable functioning of the nervous system, is already experiencing severe stress, and is not able to get out of the situation on his own, he needs special professional help.

Since, as we have already noted, various disorders and diseases can result from stress, their timely diagnosis at the earliest stages is very important.

We work with patients whose contact with us was prompted by experiencing stress, taking into account all the necessary components of providing medical and psychological care: diagnosis, prevention, treatment. Our work is to assess the consequences caused to the body by stress factors, eliminate these consequences, and develop self-help skills during stress as a means of subsequent prevention.