ASKTHE EXPERTS

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

Answer:

A number of scales have been developed for use by professionals and individuals to rate the degree of lifestyle stress that a person is experiencing. Many of these are based upon a person's perceived level of stress or symptoms that they may be experiencing, such as worrying, sleeplessness, etc. Other scales evaluate stress by taking into account the number of life-altering or significant changes (both positive and negative) that an individual is facing at the moment. Examples of such changes include the death of a spouse, divorce, the birth of a child, starting a new job, and others. According to these scales, the more external changes that an individual faces, the greater his or her stress level may be.

But perhaps a better way to evaluate your own stress is to take stock of your daily life. Are you content and happy? Do you generally feel emotionally and physically well? If you're constantly plagued by anxiety and worry, or if you are facing physical or emotional hardships, you're likely experiencing significant stress. You could also ask a spouse or significant other if they notice any changes in your mood or temperament. Talking about your situation is a stress-release method and can reveal hidden, subtle stressors.

Tolerance for stress varies greatly among individuals, so it isn't possible to compare your situation with that of another person and expect your particular stress levels to be the same. Your inner feelings and overall perception of your mental health are the best index of your stress levels.

 Thank you for your question.

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Last Editorial Review: 3/7/2007

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Answer:

Professional help is indeed available to help individuals deal with stress. Trained counselors and health professionals offer both individual and group counseling that can help you develop and strengthen your stress management skills. Social networks can also help control stress, and many people find relief in the form of a formal or informal peer support group.

If your stress is interfering with your capacity to be happy and lead an emotionally rewarding life, then it may be time to seek professional help. This is especially true if it is persistent. You may also want to talk to your doctor or a counselor if your stress is causing you to experience physical symptoms or worsening of a chronic medical condition. Finally, seek professional help if you find yourself "treating" your stress by misuse or abuse of alcohol or drugs, or by engaging in other unhealthy behaviors.

Thank you for your question.

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Last Editorial Review: 3/7/2007

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Answer:

Stress can be physical or emotional, meaning that the increased demands upon the body are of a physical nature (for example, an illness or injury) or psychological. Most people use the term to refer to psychological stress, and while there may be many different causes of psychological stress, there are no distinct or different types of stress in terms of the body's reactions and symptoms.

For example, one might speak of lifestyle stress, relationship or marital stress, parenting stress, or work-related stress, but all of these are just circumstances and causes for the body to perceive and react to stress.

Stress causes a number of changes in the body's functioning, including the release of hormones to control and modify the stress response. Stress can have an impact on immune function and can worsen the symptoms of many different medical conditions. A person's perception and experience of stress is extremely varied. Different people will experience different symptoms and reactions when under a similar amount of stress, so there is no way to define which symptoms are specifically associated with stress or with particular types of stress.

Thank you for your question.

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

Last Editorial Review: 2/26/2007

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Q:   Are women more sensitive to stress than men? Does stress affect men and women differently?

Answer:

Both men and women are sensitive to psychological stress and its effects. Since people vary widely in their perception of stress, it is not possible to generalize and state that men or women are more sensitive to stress.

There may be differences, however, in the way men and women are conditioned to respond to stress. For years, the human stress response has been termed the "flight or fight" reaction, meaning that the surge of hormones released in an acutely stressful situation prepares the body to either deal with (fight) or flee (flight) the stressful situation. Newer research argues that the "flight or fight" theory is based upon research conducted largely in men, and that women may have evolved a different stress response.

This "new" stress response is referred to as the "tend and befriend" response. Scientists who favor this theory believe that women may have evolved alternative hormonal responses that even downplay the "fight or flight" response. Instead, they argue, women have developed stress responses that provide for the nurturance of offspring, the exhibition of behaviors that protect them from harm (tending), and befriending—or creating and joining social groups for protection.

This new theory has raised questions for stress research, and studies are ongoing to characterize potential differences in male and female stress responses.

Thank you for your question.

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

Last Editorial Review: 2/26/2007

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