PREAMBLE

Today

We have higher buildings and wider

highways,

But
Shorter temper and Narrower points of view.

We spend more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses, but smaller families. We have more knowledge,but less judgement.

We have more medicines, but less health.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk much & love only a little, but We hate too much.

We reached the Moon and came back, But we find it troublesome to cross our own street and meet our neighbors. We have conquered the outer space, But not our inner space.

These are the days in which it takes two salaries for each home, but divorces increase.
These are times of finer houses, but more broken homes.

TIME FOR US TO THINK IT OVER..

WHY SO?

STRESS (Disease of Modern Era)

o Factors causing it ? o Its effects? o How to identify?

o Its management!

HELP ME!

WHAT IS STRESS ?
Reaction that people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed upon them.
It arises when we worry that we cant cope.

THE INDIVIDUAL
Everyone is different, with unique perceptions of, and reactions to, events. There is no single level of stress that is optimal for all people. Sensitivity varies: owing to genetic predisposition, certain experiences in childhood, influence of teachers, parents and religion etc. Most of the stress we experience is selfgenerated. Perception of self & life

SOURCE OF STRESSORS

External:
Physical
Social Organizational Others

Internal

EXTERNAL
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Loud Noise
Bright / Dim Lights Excessive Heat / Cold

Confined Spaces

SOCIAL INTERACTION
Rudeness Bossiness
Aggressiveness by others

Bullying Jealousy

ORGANISATIONAL
Rigid Rules & Regulations Red - Tape Deadlines Decisions Timings-Flexibility Realistic Goals Leave

Humiliation in Public Abusive Language Sarcasm In appropriate jobs Training

SOCIAL
Rural Joint Family Marital status Field to Field Accommodation Education of Children Promotion

Postings

Internal (NEGATIVE SELF TALK)

Genetic Pessimistic thinking Self criticism Over analysing Diseases

Internal MIND TRAPS

Unrealistic expectations Taking things personally All or none thinking Exaggeration Rigid thinking

Internal PERSONALITY TRAITS Perfectionists Workaholics Indecisiveness

Prof. Linford Rees:

A young man presented with treatment resistant headache.

O/E he revealed that he was experiencing high tension in job. What is your job?

I am a fruit vendors helper.

What is the precise nature of your job?

To separate large oranges from small oranges.

So what is so stressful about the job? Sir,

Dont you understand.it is

Decisions

Decisions

Decisions
Decisions

all the time !!!!

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

Physical Mental Emotional Behavioural

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
Sleep pattern changes Fatigue Digestion changes Loss of sexual drive Headaches Palpitations Dizziness

MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Lack of concentration Memory lapses Difficulty in making decisions Confusion Disorientation Panic attacks

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS
Bouts of depression Impatience Fits of rage Tearfulness Deterioration of personal hygiene and appearance

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS
Appetite changes - too much or too little Increased intake of alcohol & other psychoactive drugs Restlessness Fidgety Hypochondriacal

Summary VULNERABLE SOLDIER

Soldier who is using alcohol in excess or taking drugs Young, inexperienced or seasoned soldier Financial, marital or other personal problems The loner who does not participate in unit activities or rarely shares personal feelings and information. Anxious soldier who rarely seems to relax The pessimistic soldier Lack of confidence

Adverse Consequences of Stress Recklessness and indiscipline

Drunken behaviour and drug intoxication Shirking and malingering AWL and desertion Self inflicted wounds and excessive sick report Ill treating captured enemy Looting and rape Combat refusal Threatening and killing own colleagues and leaders Attempted suicide and suicide

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Individual Unit Organisational

INDIVIDUAL
Not much of control Relaxation Trg

Deep Breathing Muscle Relaxation Techniques Yoga, Meditation etc

Physical Fitness Role of Religion

Problems at home Relationship with colleagues :Bon Homie Relationship with seniors especially officers Unit pride: games etc Realistic goals Enough relaxation & Recreation Leave Punishment Foul tongue & Humiliation Appropriate jobs Encouragement & rewards Judgmental Fairness

UNIT
Encourage unit cohesion: Bon Homie Help solve domestic problems of individual Impart unit pride Tough realistic trg Humane man mgt Practical leave planning Trg in psychological first aid Sleep logistics Debriefing

Miscellaneous
Information Dissemination Provision of good working environment Improving physical Milieu Realistic Expectations Not no error syndrome

Depression: commonest manifestation of Stress

Vertical furrowing

Downcast eyes

Drooping shoulders

Hunched back

Mood
Sustained

emotional tone

Depressed

Significant change in weight or appetite

Feeling down all day

Not sleeping or sleeping too much

Taking to drinking excessive alcohol

Blaming oneself too much and feeling worthless

Thinking about death frequently

Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

Cant make decisions and cant concentrate

No longer interested in favorite activities

Psychiatric referral
Correction External Factors Oddities of behaviour Disturbed Biodrives

Poor socio-occupational functioning

PERSISTENT PERVASIVE

CONCLUSION
Stress : unavoidable Additional stress: Avoidable Correct understanding Prompt Recognition Mature handling Prevent

CONCLUSION (CONTD)
To strive for success is human. To encounter stress also is inevitable. Secret of happiness, perhaps, is in learning to live with stress and if possible, learn to enjoy it, Failing which..