Stress

Stress is a state of concern or worry about specific situations. Experiencing stress is normative and can even be functional in that it can prompt us to problem solve and take action. However, overwhelming or chronic stress can have significant physical and health impacts.

What are Common Categories of Stress?

Stress typically falls within three categories: acute, episodic acute, and chronic. Acute stress is short term and usually related to something happening right now, like the brake lights on the car in front of you lighting up unexpectedly. Episodic acute stress happens when acute stress occurs regularly and our bodies and minds do not have a chance to return to a relaxed baseline. This can occur to people in demanding work environments with regular deadlines and/or crises. Chronic stress occurs when stressors exist in an ongoing way, like living in high-risk neighborhoods, belonging to a marginalized community, and long-term interpersonal conflicts.

What are Common Types of Stress?

Common types or examples of stress can include:

• Occupational Stress – Occupational, or work-related stress, occurs when the demands and pressures of a work environment do not match an individual’s knowledge and capability and exceeds their ability to cope.
• Relational/Interpersonal Stress – Interpersonal stress arises in close relationships with others when hurt is occurring, regardless of intent. Examples might be criticism, unrealistic expectations, insufficient support, etc.
• Minority Stress – Minority stress can arise in stigmatized minority groups. Factors like socioeconomic status, inadequate social support, prejudice and discrimination can contribute to the experience of minority stress. This phenomenon is common in racial, sexual and gender minorities.
• Existential Stress – Existential stress can be described as the feeling of unease people experience about meaning, choice, freedom, purpose, and longevity of life. This can be primarily related to the individual, or sometimes related to the state of humanity as a whole. For example, you may worry about the sustainability of life on earth given environmental, political, or other factors.
• Academic Stress – Stress related to education arises when one’s desire for success in the classroom feels less attainable given environmental or personal demands, like time, grading, aptitude, etc.
• Financial Stress – Financial stress can begin when the amount of money available to an individual is not perceived as adequate for sustaining basic needs and/or the desired quality of life.
• Transition Stress – This type of stress can arise at transitional periods in life that involve significant change. For example, marriage, pregnancy, birth of children, loss of income, moving, graduation, retirement, etc.

Parents of Stressed Children and Adolescents 

Watching your child’s stress levels increase can be a stressful experience itself for parents! This is especially true when there may be limits to how much you can help decrease environmental demands. Parents often worry that they can not do enough to protect their children from “stressing out” about friends, school, and their future. You may also find that no matter how much you try to reassure them that they don’t need to be perfect, they continue to strive for perfection.

Sometimes it can be helpful for parents to be able to talk about their concerns for their children in their own therapy. Individual therapy and sometimes group therapy can help you learn how to guide your child and learn how to cope with stress more effectively. If the stress is something the entire family is experiencing, family therapy can also help you navigate the symptoms and consequences of stress. Reach out to us today to see how we may be able to help.