PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Chat Support Group

Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Stress is a normal response of the body and mind. Everyone feels stress when gearing up to deal with major life events (such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or starting or ending a job), or handling everyday hassles like arguments, financial headaches, deadlines, or traffic jams.

Physical signs of a stress response include:

• rapid heartbeat
• headaches
• stomach aches
• muscle tension

Emotional signs of stress can be both positive and upsetting:

• excitement
• exhilaration
• joy
• frustration
• nervousness
• discouragement
• anxiety
• anger

Stress Can Become a Problem

Repeated stress drains and wears down your body and mind. Stress is like starting a car engine or pushing the accelerator pedal to speed up. If you keep "revving" up the car you'll burn out the starter and wear out both the brakes and the engine.

Burnout occurs when repeated stress is not balanced by healthy time outs for genuine relaxation. Stress is not the problem, if you manage it by having an emotional "cruise control" so you can smoothly and calmly enter or leave life's fast lane.

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