STRESS DISCUSSION - Disaster and Mental Health

Disaster and Mental Health - Stress

1. Friendly
Reminders
Before we start our discussion, here are
some rules and reminders to keep in mind.
Silent mode your phones. We are in a
face-to-face setting and this is your safe
space.
Your participation is important, so feel
free to engage and share your thoughts.
Today’s topic might be personal for
some, so let’s create a supportive and
respectful environment.
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2. SQUEEZE IT!

3. WHAT IS STRESS?
HOW CAN WE
MANAGE IT?
Dom Joshua J. Talban
Lecturer

4. Learning
Objectives
Define stress and differentiate between
eustress and distress.
Identify various causes of stress (stressors)
and classify them.
Describe the physiological and emotional
effects of stress on the body.
Understand the stages of stress response.
Develop effective strategies for managing
stress.

5. WHAT IS STRESS?
A non-specific response of the body, or the
body’s reaction to a demanding situation.

6. WHAT IS EUSTRESS?
Positive stress results from positive events and situations.

7. WHAT IS DISTRESS?
Negative stress results from adverse events and situations.

8. What Causes
Stress?
Stressors could be PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL

9. Stressors are things that cause stress.
Almost everything is a stressor
depending on the individual.
Family Relationships
School
Peer Groups/ Friends
Discrimination
Injury
Sickness
Fatigue
Any Major Changes (Disaster)

10. Physical
Stressors
Thirst
Hunger
Lack of Sleep
Sickness
Accidents or Catastrophes
Physical stressors are physical conditions of
your body and the environment that affect
your physical well-being.

11. Emotional
Stressors
Worry
Fear
Grief
Depression
Anger
Emotional stressors are the stressors that
affect your physical and emotional well-being.

12. Social Stressors
Family
Friends
Teachers
Employers
Peers
Social stressors arise from your relationships
with other people.

13. HOW DO WE REACT?

14. Our body goes through 3 stages under stress. The first is an “Alarm
Stage” which is referred to as Fight or Flight This is when the body
reacts to the stressor. Anything that causes you to worry or get
excited, or causes emotional or physical changes can start the alarm
reaction.

15. Fight or Flight
Fight or Flight is the body’s natural protective
technique. We react the same to both positive
and negative types of stress.

17. Stage 1:
Alarm Phase
During the alarm phase, adrenaline is
released. Adrenaline is the chemical
that gives our body energy to
perform physical acts. In an
emergency our adrenaline
amount rises

18. Stage 2:
Resistance
In stage two, the resistance stage, the
immune system starts to resist or fight the
stressor. You feel exasperated and are
impatient with trivial matters. You miss
your sleep schedules and find your
resistance lowering. The normal indications
of this level are exhaustion, weariness,
anxiousness, and being forgetful.

19. Stage 3:
Exhaustion
In extreme cases our body is unable to
handle the stress and it succumbs to the
stressor and we call this the exhaustion
phase. We may become sick or medical
treatments may become necessary. If the
stressor is too great, as in the case of
disease that the body cannot fight, death
can occur

20. HOW DOES OUR
BODY REACT?

21. HOW DOES OUR
BODY REACT?
• Allergy flare-ups
• Backaches
• Perspiring
• Shortness of breath
• Hyperventilation
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Tightness in the throat or chest
• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle tension
• Trembling
• Muscle spasms
• Acne flare-ups
• Difficulty sleeping
• Headaches
• Neck-aches
• Blurred vision
• Increased blood pressure
• Light-headedness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting

22. EMOTIONAL EFFECTS
Upset or nervous feelings
Anger
Anxiety or Fear
Frequently criticizing others
Frustration
Forgetfulness
Difficulty paying attention
Difficulty making decisions
Irritability
Lack of motivation
Boredom
Mild Depression
Withdrawal
Change in appetite

23. PHYSICAL EFFECTS
Increased stomach acid can create or irritate ulcers.
High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and disorders.
Lowers the effectiveness of the immune system.
Cancer or severe illness can occur.

25. "Stress is the number one cause of health
problems in the United States. It's not just the
big stressors like work deadlines and debt,
but the little ones too." — Andrew Weil

26. STRESS MANAGEMENT

27. One of the best and most productive ways to handle
stress is to exercise. Exercise releases stress reducing
chemicals in the body called Endorphins.
EXERCISE

28. Your diet can create a great deal of stress within your
body and its systems. Your body cannot function properly
without adequate nutrition. Eat 3 healthy meals each day.
EAT A HEALTHY DIET

29. Lack of sleep can contribute to distress and can make
decision-making difficult. You should get at least 8 hours
of sleep each night.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP

30. Avoid unnecessary, distressful situations
Tackle one thing at a time / take action
Manage your time effectively
Try not to let little things bother you
Accept what cannot be changed
Think positively
Find a way to relax your muscles/ reduce tension
(muscle relaxation, imagery, yoga, etc.)
OTHER WAYS

31. FIND WHAT
WORKS FOR YOU!

32. THANK YOU!