The phenomena of eustress and distress: symptoms and features

What is distress in psychology

A new term in psychology was introduced by the psychologist, author of the theory about the development of stress, Hans Selye. He compared the state of stress in a person with affect. This is how people adapt to changes in life.

Stress is divided into 3 stages:

1. Prostration . This period is characterized by an increase in feelings of anxiety; in order to cope with it, the human body begins to expend all its resources. The brain works actively and energy levels increase.
2. Adaptation - the human psyche begins to adapt to the current conditions. There is a gradual decrease in the level of anxiety.
3. Exhaustion – the phase begins at the moment when the mental defense mechanisms get tired of fighting. A person can no longer make a rational decision. This leads to an increase in anxiety, which is accompanied by negative emotions and symptoms.

It is the last stage that is characteristic of distress. It, in turn, goes through 3 more stages:

• anxiety;
• feeling of fear;
• concern.

When distress occurs, a person is unable to independently adapt to new living conditions.

Causes

Distress in psychology is a state when the exact causes cannot be determined. They will be individual for each person. This is due to the fact that people have different life values ​​and sensitivities. Scientists have identified universal factors that contribute to the development of a stable stress state.

The main reasons for the development of distress syndrome include:

• A person cannot satisfy his physiological needs for a long time. For example, he does not have enough water or food.
• There have been significant changes in health status. This could be a serious illness, injury or injury.
• The development of situations due to which negative emotions are provoked. This includes rage, fear, aggression, tension, anger.
• Death of a loved one or separation from him.
• The need to comply with forced restrictions. For example, diet, imprisonment, long-term rehabilitation after an accident, disability, caring for a sick relative.
• The emergence of financial difficulties. Often this reason occurs when a person loses a job, lacks opportunities for career growth in the workplace, or is unable to repay loans.
• Global changes in life. For example, moving, having a child, or changing jobs.
• Development of conflict situations in the family. This can be either quarrels between spouses or misunderstandings between parents and children.

Distress can arise not only against the background of stressful situations, but also in their complete absence. There are often situations when a person is in a state of chronic stress even against the background of complete well-being.

The reason for this may be the inability to formulate a goal in life. Everything turned out well for the man. He has a family, children, he has achieved a position in his career, but there is nowhere else to move.

The reaction to stress is formed not only depending on the factor, but also on its intensity and perception by the person. The behavior of an individual will depend on the threshold of sensitivity.

He can be:

• low. People who are characterized by it have high resistance to stress. It is very difficult to unbalance them. Such a person can withstand minor problems and troubles. He is always able to soberly assess the situation and find the right way out;
• high. An individual with such a sensitivity threshold easily explodes at any little thing. His behavior in response to any problem is always overly emotional and stormy. He is unable to make a sober decision, as he reacts chaotically to difficulties. A high threshold of sensitivity is characteristic of suspicious and insecure people. They are accustomed to existing only within limited limits; going beyond them will lead to a stressful situation.

But such a classification is conditional. It all depends on the character of the person and the level of importance for him of individual factors. For example, people easily relate to changing jobs, but are completely unable to tolerate their limitations within any framework.

Important! What contributes to the development of prolonged distress is the number of situations that arise in a short period of time. Even a very significant problem can be tolerated more easily than a whole series of troubles.

Impact of sustainability factors

The difference between the positive and negative effects of stress on a person depends on many factors. The most important are those related to resistance to it. They determine the nature of its impact on the body, as well as its organization. These stress resistance factors include:

1. The individual’s attitude to stress and human behavior when such situations arise.
2. Features of stress, the nature of which is associated with a person’s attitude towards them.
3. The number of real causes of stress and their possible combination with absent threats.
4. The power of stress. In some situations, a strong psychic attack can lead to death.

Psychologists pay special attention to its duration. Short-term exposure is not harmful to health. Such stress activates the body’s activity, preparing it to escape or fight the emerging threat. As the time of exposure to stress increases, the damage to health increases. The longer it is, the more dangerous it is for the human psyche.

Kinds

Stressful loads can affect a person for varying durations.

Depending on this factor, two forms of distress are distinguished:

Distress not only itself affects the deterioration of health, but also develops more actively if a person has chronic diseases. People with hormonal disorders, cardiovascular and gynecological problems fall most quickly into the stage of distress.

Stages

Distress was first discussed in 1936, when the famous scientist G. Selye expressed his assumptions about negative psychophysiological stress that depletes the body's adaptive resources. Today, the problem of the influence of distress on the occurrence of various mental illnesses, neuroses and psychoses has received reliable confirmation.

Its effect on a person may vary. Each personality has its own level of resistance to such influence. The human psyche goes through three stages of distress:

• anxiety;
• resistance and resistance;
• exhaustion.

The reasons for its development can be various situations - injuries, illness or loss of loved ones, troubles at work, etc. Constant anxiety caused by the body's negative reaction to stress leads to irreversible consequences. This condition is characterized by doctors as pre-morbid.

Anxiety

The first stage manifests itself in the form of the human psyche’s reaction to stimuli. Due to the activation of protective mechanisms, stress hormones are released into the blood. Their role is to force a person to escape the threat by any means. If this can be achieved in a short period of time, anxiety gradually disappears. If not, the body's adaptive resources begin to deplete.

Alarm stage or first stage

Stress at the initial stage of manifestation has minimal impact on the body. A person may experience mild anxiety, irritability and be in a state of periodic or constant stress.

Resistance and resistance

If the ability to adapt exceeds the strength of the stressor, signs of anxiety disappear and the level of resistance begins to rise. Gradually, signs of distress become less noticeable. Anxiety, aggression, etc. disappear.

Signs of resistance are often associated with the presence of causeless fatigue. Anxiety is minimal. You may also see:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• inattention;
• problems with coordination.

Stage of resistance and resistance

The stage of resistance is characterized by the fact that at the moments of its manifestation the body activates its defense mechanisms. Trying to protect itself from a threat, the body turns on defensive reactions. This may manifest as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and fever.

Exhaustion

At this stage, the body becomes exhausted. Despite the fact that resistance increased at the previous stage, our body has a limit. And if a stressor continues to affect a person for too long, energy reserves are depleted. Anxiety returns (a sign of the first stage), but the process is irreversible. The body becomes exhausted. As a result, a person may die.

The most common symptoms of the exhaustion stage are associated with a developing mental disorder:

• apathy;
• depression;
• insomnia;
• uncontrollable thoughts of suicide.

Exhaustion stage

It is difficult for the patient to control his emotions, and he is capable of any action.

Signs

Distress in acute psychology is a pathology that is impossible to notice. It is possible to recognize only the chronic form.

It is expressed:

• the appearance of bad habits in a person;
• changes in taste preferences;
• a decrease or, conversely, an increase in appetite;
• change in character;
• loss of interest in favorite activities;
• lack of desire to improve your life, indifference to everything around you;
• disruption of the nervous system, anxiety, insomnia, decreased performance;
• deterioration of the thought process;
• headaches, increased blood pressure, chills, nausea;
• change in speech. The person begins to stutter, swallow phrases, and pronounce words unclearly.

The manifestation of distress is accompanied by 4 main behavior patterns:

• Panic fear - it cannot be explained logically; the individual loses the ability to correctly respond to the current situation.
• Aggression and anger both towards others and towards oneself personally. This behavior makes it difficult to find a compromise.
• The desire to escape reality.
• Obsessing over a problem.

Distress syndrome is one of the main causes of the development of coronary heart disease and hypertension.

Stress symptoms

Almost all modern people are susceptible to stress to one degree or another. But they should not be confused with simple fatigue. Psychological disorder has its own signs.

1. Constant psychological stress.
2. Irritability, anger, unmotivated aggression.
3. Apathy, drowsiness, fatigue during work.
4. Memory impairment, problems concentrating.
5. Feeling of oppression, unreasonable resentment towards others.
6. Appetite disturbance: absence or increase.

If you notice more than four alarming symptoms along with a general feeling of trouble in your body, seek help from a psychiatrist.

Loss of appetite, one of the symptoms of the disorder

The difference between stress and distress

The state of stress differs from distress in the following ways:

Transition of stress into distress

Distress in psychology is a state that goes through several phases of reaction to negative situations.

These phases include:

1. The phase of anxiety, fear and anxiety. A person's neuropsychic processes are activated. The mobilization of internal resources begins.
2. Emotional stupor, complete denial of what happened, unwillingness to accept the fact that there is a problem. A person does not try to solve it, because he does not believe that it really exists.
3. The beginning of confronting stress. At this stage, actions to solve the problem are laid out in a person’s head.

The decisive role in the development of distress syndrome is played in the third phase. If a person begins to make the wrong decision to get out of a situation due to the fact that he cannot adequately perceive what is happening, then there will be no effect. This will lead to the feeling of anxiety only increasing, and somatic disorders will appear.

Distress and eustress: similarities and differences

There is another concept in psychology called “eustress”. This is positive stress.

The condition is characterized by two reactions:

• mild stress;
• experiencing positive emotions.

In this phase, the individual mobilizes all internal capabilities. In acceptable doses, eustress causes a surge of emotions, an excellent mood, and a desire to act. But despite the positive effect of the condition, its effect must be limited.

It can be compared to water. If there is little of it, it can relax and give pleasure, but as soon as the flow of water gets out of control, it can cause a huge disaster.

Examples of distress in humans

Examples of distress can occur in a variety of areas. For example, a person at work has a constant conflict with management. This leads to daily worries. A person begins to get lost, he does not know what to do. The situation provokes errors in work, which further aggravates the situation. The employee begins to show aggression, he is irritated.

The cause of distress can be a serious illness of a loved one, which requires constant care.

Symptoms

Almost every person has psychological disorders, so it is important to know the main symptoms of stress so that it can be detected for the purpose of further treatment. Symptoms of stress for each type are almost identical and are characterized by the following manifestations:

• The person experiences an increase in anxiety;
• Constant tension, which makes it impossible for a person to relax;
• Manifestation of short temper, anxiety, nervousness, irritability and aggression.
• The occurrence of inadequate reactions to various stimuli;
• Decreased concentration;
• The appearance of apathy, melancholy;
• Feeling depressed and depressed;
• Inability to enjoy pleasant events;
• Feeling of dissatisfaction and resentment towards others;
• Capriciousness towards the smallest details;
• Dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract: the patient either loses appetite, or, conversely, begins to eat more often;
• Sleep disturbance, insomnia and early awakening;
• There is a change in behavior for the worse.

All these symptoms are the main signs of psychological disorders in a person and indicate that you need to immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

To make a diagnosis, several tests are used in psychology. They allow you to determine the level of depression and degree of anxiety.

The main diagnostic methods are:

• Beck Depression Inventory;
• stress level test by L. Reader;
• test to assess the degree of personal anxiety according to Spielberg;
• Sheehan anxiety scale.

Based on the test results, you can determine whether a person needs professional help.

Treatment

Distress in psychology is a condition that can only be cured using an integrated approach. Psychological methods play a major role in therapy. The problem of the individual is that he cannot accept the problem. The task of specialists is to teach the patient to correctly perceive reality and be able to find ways out of the current situation.

Drug therapy

To get rid of the negative manifestations of distress, medications are prescribed. Most of them belong to the psychotropic group of drugs. They help restore psychological balance to the patient as soon as possible.

The groups of psychotropic drugs that are prescribed for distress include:

• tranquilizers – they are designed to reduce anxiety. Patients are prescribed sedatives, sedatives, and anticonvulsants. It has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, a person’s blood pressure is stabilized, digestion is normalized, and sweating is reduced. Problems may arise during treatment. It lies in the fear of taking drugs from the group of tranquilizers. But this is a misconception, since in small doses and under the supervision of a doctor they are completely safe. You should not take them uncontrollably. Many types of tranquilizers become addictive over time. If you drink them very often, addiction syndrome may develop. It is not recommended to take drugs in this group for more than 2 weeks;

• Antidepressants are medications that are prescribed to normalize the metabolism of serotonin and norepinephrine. This improves the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain system. It is the lack of serotonin that is an important factor in the development of depression. Patients are prescribed the following types of antidepressants: analgesics, stimulants, sedatives. Antidepressants differ from tranquilizers in their lack of dependence;
• neuroleptics are psychotropic drugs that are prescribed in case of serious mental disorders in the patient. They are designed to reduce the transmission of impulses from the brain. The mechanism of action is regulated depending on the dosage. In large doses, the drugs are intended for the treatment of psychosis. These include hallucinations and schizophrenia. In small dosages, the drugs are indicated for neuroses. Neuroleptics have anti-anxiety, corrective and sedative effects;
• nootropics are stimulants that affect learning outcomes. They are aimed at improving memory, activating mental activity, and increasing the brain’s resistance to negative external influences. Nootropics come in a variety of forms depending on their effect. They can be sedative, antiasthenic, energetic, activating. Self-administration of nootropic drugs is prohibited. This can cause insomnia, lethargy during the day, and overexcitement.

Any type of medication should be prescribed only on the recommendation of a doctor. Uncontrolled reception

may lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition.

Lifestyle and nutrition

Distress in psychology is a disease that is influenced not only by negative phenomena, but also by a person’s lifestyle.

To overcome the syndrome it is recommended:

• organize a proper daily routine, sleep at least 7 hours a day. You need to go to bed before midnight;
• spend more time outdoors. At work and at home, regularly ventilate the room;
• play sports, moderate physical activity is considered the best way to relieve emotional stress. But in the case of distress, you need to be careful. The body is mentally overworked, excessive stress can only aggravate the situation.

The correct diet plays a major role in the therapy process. Spicy seasonings, strong coffee and tea should be excluded from your diet. They negatively affect the state of a weakened body. Meals should be fractional and contain a large amount of fresh vegetables and fruits.

Psychological techniques for treatment

Distress cannot be cured without the help of a psychologist. The main goal is to teach a person to cope with emotions in order to be able to think sensibly and make decisions in stressful situations.

The following psychological techniques are used in the treatment of distress syndrome:

• learning how to relax properly. Yoga, meditation, and massage courses are used for this. A negative attitude towards alcohol must be formed. After a consultation, a person begins to realize that bad habits do not help solve the problem, they only aggravate it;
• change of priorities. The patient is taught to be able to distract himself from the problem, and not focus on it. The ability to change your concentration makes it easier to find a solution to a problem;
• method of releasing aggression. Every person must find a way for themselves to get rid of overstrain. For example, you can clean the house;
• developing the ability to share your problems. The technology is set up in such a way that people do not have to go through problems alone. They need to be discussed with loved ones and friends. This will help you find the best way out of any situation;
• technique of weakening control - the patient must learn to be able to let go of the situation. Excessive control can lead to additional problems.

The goal of all psychological techniques is to develop the ability to realistically perceive the world. For this purpose, the zebra rule is applied. Even after the blackest stripe there will always be a white one. There is no need to force the situation, you need to be able to let it go.

Distress in psychology refers to serious illnesses. This is a violation that cannot be ignored. A person cannot cope with the situation on his own; he needs not only the support of loved ones, but also professional help from psychologists.