Stress (Patient Counselling Guide)

Stress is the body’s reaction to situations that are seemingly difficult or threatening. The body tends to produce the hormones cortisol, the main stress hormone, and adrenaline, preparing the individual for some fight-or-flight action to deal with the threat. Several situations (eg, work, school, family, financial,health, or personal problems) can trigger this response and it may vary for every person depending on what one can handle. A small amount of stress is good as it helps with alertness and motivation, but too much of it over a long period can lead to physical and mental symptoms (eg, fatigue, aches and pains, irritability, hyperventilation, heart racing, headaches, and decreased resistance to infections) if poorly managed. Moreover, it may also lead to serious health conditions (eg, mental health, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal problems) when not acted upon immediately. Sometimes, treatment by a skilled professional may be necessary depending on the factors (ie, psychological or physical) affecting the physiologic response to stress. There are some cases when medication may be needed. However, drugs like antidepressants (eg, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants), anxiolytics (eg,buspirone), and sleeping aids, are used only to treat stress-related conditions and not stress itself.

*Click below to see Patient Counselling Guide in Thai