Most stressful situations fall into one of three categories. They include (1) harm-and-loss, (2) threat, and (3) challenge. Examples of harm-and-loss situations are the death of a loved one, loss of personal property, physical assault, physical injury, and severe loss of self-esteem. Threat situations may be real or perceived as menacing and can range from being caught in traffic to being unable to perceive an event. Threatening events tax a person’s ability to deal with everyday life. Threat stressors are any stressors that result in anger, hostility, frustration, or depression. Challenge situations are catalysts for either growth or pain. These stressors often involve major life changes and include such events as taking a new job, leaving home, graduating from college, and getting married. Challenge events are usually perceived as being good but involve stress because they disrupt homeostasis and require considerable psychological and physical adjustment.

Being aware of the mental and physical signals associated with stress is the beginning step in learning how to manage it. will aid you in identifying some of the major stressors. By using self-assessments to monitor for signs of stress, you can avoid excessive stress. Some indicators of excessive distress include the following:

• Chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, sweating, lower back pain, sleep disturbances, weakness, dizziness, diarrhea, and constipation
• Harder and/or longer work or study while accomplishing less, an inability to concentrate, general disorientation
• Denial that there is a problem or troubling event
• Increased incidence of illness, such as colds and flu’s, or constant worry about illness or becoming ill; overuse of over-the-counter drugs for the purpose of self-medication Depression, irritability, anxiety, apathy, an overwhelming urge to cry or run and hide, feelings of unreality
• Excessive behavior patterns, such as spending too much money, drinking, breaking the law, and developing addictions
• Accident proneness
• Signs of reclusive ness and avoidance of other people
• Emotional tension, “key up” feeling, easily startled, nervous laughter, anxiety, hyperkinesia, and nervous tics