Stress
and Distress by John
Thielges, MA
Stress is unavoidable. Situations such as the death of a loved
one, a failed relationship, financial hardship or workplace frustration
are all stressful. Stress can result from joy, as well as tragedy
-- the thrill of winning a lotto is stressful. In fact, most
daily activities cause some degree of stress.
The symptoms of stress can take many forms, effecting both
mind and body. Emotionally, it feeds anxiety and depression,
causes insomnia, and robs us of peace of mind. Many physicians
estimate that over half of our illnesses are stress induced.
This begins in childhood, where most school absences are attributed
to headaches and tummy aches. Headaches have become the leading
cause of absenteeism in the workplace, accounting for billions
of dollars in lost productivity yearly.
Some physicians attribute up to 75% of patient complaints to
stress related illness. Over half of all emergency room visits
for chest pain are diagnosed as panic attack symptoms. From headaches
to irritable bowel, our bodies reflect how poorly we manage our
accumulated stress. This website is dedicated to the management
of stress.