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.