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'''Stress''' is a word used in [[biology]] and [[medicine]] to describe changes that can be seen in [[organisms]]. Stress can be physical or mental. Stress can describe a [[pressure]], like the pressure of a person's upper teeth on their lower teeth |
'''Stress''' is a word used in [[biology]] and [[medicine]] to describe changes that can be seen in [[organisms]]. Stress can be physical or mental. Stress can describe a [[pressure]], like the pressure of a person's upper teeth on their lower teeth when eating. Stress can also describe an impact like when one object hits another. |
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Stress describes a living thing's response to |
Stress describes a living thing's response to danger or some other change in its [[environment]]. This change can be called a stressor. Stressors can vary in size. A stressor can be internal and come from inside the living thing - like an illness. <ref> {{cite journal |last= Greenberg |first= Neil |last2= Carr |first2= James A. |last3= Summers |first3= Cliff H.|year= 2002 |title= Causes and Consequences of Stress |journal= Integrative and Comparative Biology |volume= 42 |issue= 3 |pages= 508-516 |doi= 10.1093/icb/42.3.508 |url= http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/content/42/3/508.full }} </ref> A stressor can be external, coming from something outside the living thing - like an attack. |
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==Types of stress== |
==Types of stress== |
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There are different types of stress. Each type has different |
There are different types of stress. Each type has different elements. |
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* '''acute:''' stress causes immediate harm |
* '''acute:''' stress causes immediate harm quickly. An example of this type of stress is having to finish an assignment quickly or facing a car crash. |
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* '''chronic:''' stress causes continued harm and frustration. An example of this type of stress is continued unhappiness with school. This type of stress wears organisms down. |
* '''chronic:''' stress causes continued harm and frustration. An example of this type of stress is continued unhappiness with school. This type of stress wears organisms down. |
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* '''traumatic:''' stress after a scary |
* '''traumatic:''' stress after a scary event. This stress causes fear. An example of this is experiencing a war or hurricane. This can lead to [[Post-traumatic stress disorder|Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]] (PTSD). |
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== Stress response == |
== Stress response == |
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* '''emotional:''' changes happening to a person's or animal's emotions. An example is feeling worried or upset about an upcoming exam. |
* '''emotional:''' changes happening to a person's or animal's emotions. An example is feeling worried or upset about an upcoming exam. |
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Stress happens every day, and it is part of every living thing's life. Too much stress is bad and can cause health problems. Stress plays a part in some physical problems, like heart disease. Stress also plays a part in many mental illnesses, like [[anxiety]], Acute Stress Disorder, and PTSD. Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD are mental illnesses that can happen when a person experiences something that is very terrifying, like a major accident or a war. Another type of stress disorder is a "psychosomatic illness" where a person has physical symptoms that are caused by an emotional stress, not by physical harm <ref>{{cite book | last = Levenson| first = James L. | title = Essentials of Psychosomatic Medicine| publisher = American Psychiatric Press Inc|year=2006| isbn = 978-1-58562-246-7}}</ref>. |
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==Stress management== |
==Stress management== |
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There are different ways to deal with stress. One tip is to remove yourself |
There are different ways to deal with stress. One tip is to remove yourself from the stressor. For example if a school assignment is causing stress, taking a break from the assignment can be good. This break can include sleeping or engaging in hobbies. Exercise reduce stress <ref> {{cite journal |last= Sculy |first= D |last2= Kremer |first2= J |last3= Meade |first3= M |last4= Graham |first4= R |last4= Dudgeon |first4= K |year= 1998 |title= Physical exercise and psychological well being: a critical review. |journal= Br J Sports Med |volume= 32 |issue= 2 |pages= 111-120 |doi= 10.1136/bjsm.32.2.111 |url= http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/32/2/111 }}</ref>. Support from friends and family can be helpful. Health care professionals can help when stress is bad and effects physical or mental health. Relaxing with [[meditation]] and deep breathing can manage stress. |
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== References== |
== References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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Revision as of 19:04, 12 April 2016
Stress is a word used in biology and medicine to describe changes that can be seen in organisms. Stress can be physical or mental. Stress can describe a pressure, like the pressure of a person's upper teeth on their lower teeth when eating. Stress can also describe an impact like when one object hits another.
Stress describes a living thing's response to danger or some other change in its environment. This change can be called a stressor. Stressors can vary in size. A stressor can be internal and come from inside the living thing - like an illness. [1] A stressor can be external, coming from something outside the living thing - like an attack.
Types of stress
There are different types of stress. Each type has different elements.
- acute: stress causes immediate harm quickly. An example of this type of stress is having to finish an assignment quickly or facing a car crash.
- chronic: stress causes continued harm and frustration. An example of this type of stress is continued unhappiness with school. This type of stress wears organisms down.
- traumatic: stress after a scary event. This stress causes fear. An example of this is experiencing a war or hurricane. This can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Stress response
Organisms can respond to stress in different ways.
- physical: changes happening in the body. An example is a fast heartbeat after giving a speech.
- mental: changes happening in the mind. An example is feeling unfocused due to difficulties at work.
- emotional: changes happening to a person's or animal's emotions. An example is feeling worried or upset about an upcoming exam.
Stress happens every day, and it is part of every living thing's life. Too much stress is bad and can cause health problems. Stress plays a part in some physical problems, like heart disease. Stress also plays a part in many mental illnesses, like anxiety, Acute Stress Disorder, and PTSD. Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD are mental illnesses that can happen when a person experiences something that is very terrifying, like a major accident or a war. Another type of stress disorder is a "psychosomatic illness" where a person has physical symptoms that are caused by an emotional stress, not by physical harm [2].
Stress management
There are different ways to deal with stress. One tip is to remove yourself from the stressor. For example if a school assignment is causing stress, taking a break from the assignment can be good. This break can include sleeping or engaging in hobbies. Exercise reduce stress [3]. Support from friends and family can be helpful. Health care professionals can help when stress is bad and effects physical or mental health. Relaxing with meditation and deep breathing can manage stress.
References
- ↑ Greenberg, Neil; Carr, James A.; Summers, Cliff H. (2002). "Causes and Consequences of Stress". Integrative and Comparative Biology. 42 (3): 508–516. doi:10.1093/icb/42.3.508.
- ↑ Levenson, James L. (2006). Essentials of Psychosomatic Medicine. American Psychiatric Press Inc. ISBN 978-1-58562-246-7.
- ↑ Sculy, D; Kremer, J; Meade, M; Dudgeon, K (1998). "Physical exercise and psychological well being: a critical review". Br J Sports Med. 32 (2): 111–120. doi:10.1136/bjsm.32.2.111.