Stress: the stage. The state of stress: causes, treatment, prevention

What is stress? What is he like? In the scientific literature, this state is described as the mental and physical reaction of the body to irritating or frightening situations that arise from time to time in life. Stress is also called the protective mechanism given to us by nature. However, sad as it may seem, in our life he increasingly works not for good, but against us, and can bring enormous harm to both psychological and physical health of a person.

The power of stress

So, we already know that stress is a universal reaction of the organism, which, if necessary, serves as a kind of switch on the necessary protective abilities of the human body. However, the stimulus should have great strength, so that the body, in addition to the basic mechanisms of protection, decided to connect several reactions, which are united by the common name "stress." Today it is proved that a strong stress has not only negative, but also positive value for the organism, neutralizing the consequences caused by the impact of the strongest stimuli. By the way, the stress reaction is inherent not only to man, but also to other living beings. But since the social factor is important, people are the most vulnerable to stress.

The impact of stress on humans

The doctors proved that stress is one of the main causes of psychosomatic diseases . Regardless of age, sex, profession, all population groups are subject to stressful conditions. At the same time, its long-term effect leads to such disturbances as increased pressure, cardiac rhythm and digestion, gastritis and colitis, headaches, decreased libido, etc.

Stress on Hans Selye

Canadian physiologist Hans Selye in 1936 for the first time in the world defined the concept of stress. According to him, stress is the reaction of a living organism to internal or external severe irritation, while it must exceed the permissible limit of endurance. Thus, the body by means of stress struggles with any threats. This concept was approved by many scientists and is the basis of the doctrine of this. Threats in this concept began to be called stressors, which are divided into two main types: physical and psychological. The first include pain, heat or cold, any damage, accompanied by pain, etc. And to psychological - insult, fear, anger, etc.

Stress and distress

According to many scientists, not every stress is evil. He can have a positive effect on the body. Proceeding from this, Hans Selye decided to divide this phenomenon into two types: stress and distress. The latter is harmful to us. It is in its result in the body are sometimes irreversible changes. For example, it is proven that stress increases the risk of a heart attack by almost half.

Stages of stress development

Naturally, the Canadian scientist Hans Selye also made the first and main contribution to the study of the stages of stress. In 1926, during his studies at the medical institute, he discovered that the symptoms of illnesses of patients with different diagnoses are similar in many respects. This prompted Selye to think that organisms, when faced with the same powerful load, begin to react to it in the same way. So, for example, such symptoms as weight loss, weakness and apathy, loss of appetite, were observed in such serious diseases as cancer, various infectious diseases, blood loss, etc. Naturally, the scientist began to torment the question of what to do with It's connected. For 10 years he worked in this direction, many studies have been carried out. The results were very interesting, but the medicine did not want to recognize them. According to Selye, the organism, however adaptable it may be, under extremely strong influences, refuses to adapt. In addition, the scientist was able to find out that different stimuli lead to the same biochemical changes in organ systems. Despite the skeptical attitude of the doctors, Selye did not stop there and soon managed to prove that in this case it is the hormones that play the most important role. They attract stress. The stages of this phenomenon, according to Selye, are divided into the following stages: anxiety, resistance and exhaustion.

Features of stress in each of the three stages

The first is the preparatory stage, which is called anxiety. At this stage, the adrenal hormones (norepinephrine and adrenaline) are secreted, which prepare the body either for protection or for flight. As a result, its resistance to infections and diseases is sharply reduced. During this period, the appetite also decreases (increases or decreases), there are disruptions in the process of digestion, etc. If the troubles are quickly resolved due to any physical activity, these changes soon pass without a trace. And in the case of a long-term stressful situation, the body is depleted. Some extremely powerful stressors can even lead to death. By the way, it can be both physical and psychoemotional stress. The stages of this phenomenon, if there is soil for this, quite quickly replace each other.

The second stage is the stage of resistance (resistance). This happens when the adaptive capacity is allowed to fight. At this stage, a person feels good, almost the same as in a healthy state. However, he may show aggressiveness and excitability.

The third stage of stress is depletion. It is closer in nature to the first. The organism after a long impact of stress is no longer able to mobilize its reserves. All the symptoms at this stage are similar to a "cry for help." In the body, there are various psychosomatic disorders. If this is not to be combated, then at this stage serious diseases, sometimes even fatal, can develop. In the event that the causes of stress are psychological, that is, emotional stress occurs, then decompensation can lead to deep depression or nervous breakdown. At this stage, the patient in no way can help himself, he will need the help of a specialist.

The main types of stress

Once again, remember what stress is. This is a general (nonspecific) reaction of the body to physiological and physical effects. It manifests itself most often in changing the functions of certain systems of organs. The main types of stress are: physical (trauma, infection, etc.) and emotional (nervous disorders, experiences, etc.). In modern life, professional stress is also highlighted. Its stages proceed in the same way as in the case of the other species.

Types of occupational stress

So, let's discuss what characterizes this state of stress. As is known, often people involved in some kind of activity and carrying out their work are in constant tension, caused by various extreme and emotionally-negative factors. This is professional stress. There are several of its varieties, namely: informative, communicative and emotional.

In the first case, stress arises from the fact that a person does not have time to cope with the task assigned to him or make the right decision due to lack of time. There are many reasons for this: uncertainty, lack of information, suddenness, etc.

Professional stress of a communicative nature is caused by specific problems related to business communication. Its manifestations are increased irritability due to inability to protect oneself from someone's communicative aggression, inability to express their discontent or to protect themselves from manipulation. In addition, one of the important factors is the mismatch of style and pace of communication.

Well, emotional stress, as a rule, arises from the fear of a real or even supposed danger, from strong experiences of a different nature, as well as from feelings of humiliation, guilt, resentment or anger leading to a break in business relations with colleagues and a conflict situation with management.

Positive and negative effects of stress

When we talk about this phenomenon, then we mean something bad, negative. However, this is not entirely true. After all, stress is a protective mechanism, an attempt by the body to adapt, that is, to adapt to unusual and new conditions for it. Of course, speech in this case is about emotional stress, and it turns out that it can be either "bad" or, conversely, "good." In science, good stress is called eustress. In the event that he is not strong, such a state promotes the mobilization of the body. Positive is also the stress caused by good emotions. For example, a big win in a lotto, the victory of a favorite sports team, the joy of meeting a man who has not been seen for ages, etc. Yes, joy is, albeit positive, but still stressful. The stages of its development, of course, are not the same as described above. However, even positive stress can have negative consequences for some people, for example, hypertensive patients, even such pleasant disturbances are contraindicated. Such stress, as you know, in most cases is short-term, short-lived. As for the negative, they are called a state caused by negative emotions. In science, it is denoted by the word "distress". It negatively affects not only the nervous, but also the immune system. If the stressors are very strong, then the body will not be able to cope on its own, and specialist intervention will be required here.

How to protect yourself from stress: treatment and prevention

In our dynamically developing world, it is difficult to deal with negative manifestations of stress. And it's almost impossible to avoid them. Emotional stress is most often observed in minor people who like to feel sorry for themselves, speak evil, gossip, see everything bad. To avoid this, a person must control his thoughts, adjust himself to the good. You can engage in any socially useful activity, have an interesting hobby, go to the gym or pool, read interesting literature and visit museums, exhibitions, etc. However, in life situations are created where people are simply unable to cope with the emotional load and its Negative impact on the body. What to do in this case? Of course, here medicines must come to the aid: medicines and tablets from nerves and stress. Many of them are made from various herbs. The substances in their composition have a beneficial effect on the nervous and immune systems. Such plants include hawthorn, heather, valerian, oregano, passionflower, melissa, peony, hops, motherwort, etc. So, the tinctures of these medicinal herbs, as well as the pills on their basis, will help a person. Buying tablets from nerves and stress, look at their packaging. Here, for certain, some of these plants will be listed. However, before taking them, it is better to consult a doctor. He will prescribe you a comprehensive treatment using various means - both medicamental and psycho-emotional.

Stress medications

Drugs that can soothe in a stressful situation, in pharmacology are called tranquilizers. They relieve anxiety, allow a person to get rid of obsessive negative thoughts, relax and soothe. These can be hypnotics or muscle relaxants. Also in these cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - benzodiazepines - are used. They, as a rule, are high-speed. Within 30 minutes can bring relief. These drugs are ideal for many nervous states and panic attacks. Other medications that help in stress situations and used to treat stress are beta blockers, antidepressants, etc. Today Novo-Passit, Persen, Tenaten, Nodepress and others are recognized as the best drugs.

Stress and brothers are our smaller

Not only people, but also animals are subject to stresses. For pets are also invented various drugs that help them in a situation of stress and relieve discomfort. Pills for cats "Stop stress" will help your pets to feel great and not to experience anxiety and other unpleasant sensations. There are similar preparations for dogs. Many quadrupeds are subject to various phobias, and the "Stop-stress" pills are the best remedy for this. Reviews of dog owners say that after a few days of taking pets will behave like silk, and again begin to please you with their affectionate behavior.