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Four out of ten people frequently experience stress (Saad, 2001), recently a much greater number however. Stress is a process by which we perceive and respond to certain events called stressors, that we size up as threatening or challenging. Therefore, stress is not just a stimulus, but rather a process by which we appraise and cope. Stress arises less from events themselves than from how we perceive them (Lazarus, 1998).
Different Takes
One person, alone in the house, hears a creaking sound but experiences no stress, while another suspects a burglar is breaking in and so begins to feel fear. A friend thinks of a new job as a welcome challenge, while another person sees the new job as risking failure.
Adversity Begets Growth
Short-lived challenges can produce stress with positive effects. Stress also arouses and motivates us to conquer obstacles. Momentary stress can mobilize the immune system to fight off infection and heal wounds (Segerstrom & Miller, 2004). Some stress experiences early in life, such as fighting off cancer or rebounding from a job loss is conducive to building later emotional resilience and physical growth (Landauer & Whiting, 1979). Adversity can and does beget growth. And consider the Chinese character for crisis that combines the symbols for danger and opportunity (O’Leary & Ickovics, 1995).
Prolonged Stress Harmful
But stressors can also threaten us, and experiencing severe and prolonged stress may even harm us. For example, children’s psychological response to severe child abuse puts them at later risk of chronic diseases (Repetti et al, 2002). People who suffered Post Traumatic Stress related to heavy combat in battle went on to suffer greatly elevated rates of circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and infectious diseases (Boscarino, 1997).
The events of our lives flow through our psychological filter. How we perceive an event sets up how much stress we experience and how effectively we respond.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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