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STRESS
Lt Cdr Habibur Rahman Khan
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“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Viktor Frankl
Stimulus Process Response
Cont.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
These can be life threatening, they simply threaten our pride, our prestige, our image, and our position at work, in the family or society
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AIM
Apprise you about stress, its effects and stress management in military life
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SEQUENCE
Understanding Stress Effect of Stress Stress in Military Life Recommendation
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UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Stress in Gen Concept Stress depends on the individual judgment Produces a complex psycho-physical response Less able to perceive alternative solutions
6Cont.
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
7Cont.
The environment
* Life events*Social environment*Work environment*Natural environment
The individual
*Attitudes and traits*Temperament*Past experience/needs
Perception of threat
State of stress Coping style
Adaptive: overcome problem
Maladaptive: unsuccessful
Negative long-term effects
A working model of stress (Cooper, 1981)
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Life Stress in Illness Disrupt emotional, cognitive and physiological activity Includes negative emotion like anxiety and depression Impair information processing system Arousal of somatic, autonomic and endocrine system Chronic stress causes long-term chemical changes
8Cont.
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Stress as a Post-Traumatic Disorder Early traumatic experience Military combat Natural disasters Terrorist incidents Fatal accidents Violent personal assaults e.g. rape
9Cont.
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
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Physiology of Stress Physical, mental, or emotional Body responds for fight or flight Adrenal medulla epinephrine
and norepinephrine Hypothalamus corticotrophin
-releasing factor Pituitary adrenocorticotropic Adrenal cortex cortisol
These horm
ones circulate
through
bloodstream and re
ach every organ and
activate every cell in the body for action
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Primitive Stress Response Liver releases sugar and fats into bloodstream to provide fuel for quick energy Respiration gets faster, more oxygen is provided RBC flood the bloodstream, carrying more oxygen to the muscles and brain Heart beats faster and blood pressure rises, sufficient blood reaches the necessary areas Blood-clotting mechanisms activate in anticipation of injury
11Cont.
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Primitive Stress Response Muscles get tense in preparation for strenuous fiction Saliva dries up and digestion ceases to divert blood to the muscles and brain Perspiration increases to cool down the body Bowel and bladder muscles become loose Pupils dilate to receive more lights to see in dark All senses are heightened to make swift decisions and take action
12Cont.
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Intensity of Stress
Too Little Stress
Optimum Stress
Too Much Stress
Breakdown
13Cont.
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Intensity of Stress
14Cont.
Breakdown
ExhaustionFatigue
Too little stress
Optimum stress
Too much stress
Burn-out
Performance
The Human Performance Curve by Chandra Patel, 1996
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Factors Cause Stress The Environmental Factors
- Life Events
- Social Environment
- Natural Environment
- Work Environment
15Cont.
- Working Condition- Work Overload- Work Underload- Role Ambiguity- Role Conflict- Responsibility- Relationship at Work- Changes at Work
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Factors Cause StressThe Individual Factors
- Attitudes/Traits
- Type-A Personality
- Type-B Personality
- Temperament
- Past Experience & Needs
- The Hardy Personality
16Cont.
People who have a disposition composed of the 3 “C”:
- Commitment - Control - Challenge
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Mental Symptom - Inability to Concentrate - Difficulty in Making Simple Decisions - Loss of Self-Confidence - Undue Tiredness - Memory Lapses - Difficulty in Making Rational Judgments - Undue Feeling of Being Under Time Pressure - Making Rash Decisions - Muddled Thinking
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Emotional Symptom - Irritability or Angry Outbursts - State of Anxiety - Irrational Fear or Panic Attacks - Feeling of Hopelessness - Feeling of Hostility, Resentment, or Animosity - Feeling of Guilt - Increased Cynicism - Undue Aggression - Feeling of Depression - Feeling of Insecurity - Increased Moodiness - Fear of Criticism
Physical Symptom - Tense Muscles (aching shoulders, backache, etc.) - Erratic Breathing - Sweaty palms - Cold fingers - Dry mouth - Dizzy spells - Chest palpitations - High-pitched voice - Knot in the stomach - Nausea - Frequency of urination - Diarrhea - Restlessness
Behavioural Symptom- Increased Smoking or Alcohol Drinking- Increased or Decreased Eating- Increased or Decreased Sleep- Nail Biting- Hair Pulling- Social Withdrawal- Neglecting Looks or Hygiene- Reckless Driving- Knee Jiggling, Finger Tapping, Grimacing, Lip Smacking, or Other Mannerisms- Non –Stop Talking- Obsessive –Compulsive Behaviors - Workaholism or Absenteeism
Recognition of Stress
EFFECTS STRESS
18Cont.
Stress Leads to Conflict
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EFFECTS STRESS
Approach-Approach
Approach-Avoidance
Avoidance-Avoidance
Double Approach-Avoidance
Measuring Life Stress
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EFFECTS STRESS
Sl. Life Event Life-Change Value
1 Death of spouse 100
2 Divorce 73
3 Marital separation 65
4 Jail tem 63
5 Death of close family member 63
6 Personal injury or illness 53
7 Marriage 50
Holmes and Rahe (1967)
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STRESS IN MILITARY LIFE
Different Level of Stress Physiological and Psychological Belong to Family Domestic Stress
Belong to Unit Occupational Stress
Belong to War Severe Occupational Stress
22Cont.
STRESS IN MILITARY LIFE
Combat Stress Anticipation of Death or Injury Death of Comrades (break the moral) Young Suffers More than Veteran 10-25% Casualties for Combat Stress Separation from Family Gives Rise to Stress
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STRESS IN MILITARY LIFE
Physical Inability Including Injury
Lack of Skill & Sleep Deprivation
Robust Environment
Rumor about the Defeat
Fear of Offensive Operation & Nuclear Weapon
Lack of Information & Prolonged War
Desertion of a Part of Own Forces
Unjustified War
Stress Rise in the War situation
24Cont.
STRESS IN MILITARY LIFE
Selfishness in food, blanket and equipment
Become Cautious and Irritable
State of Hopelessness
Loss of Enthusiasm & Memory
Develop Aggressive Attitude
Develop Psychosomatic Disorder
Loss of Moral & Self-respect
Dependency on Alcohol
Reaction to Stress in the Battlefield
25Cont.
STRESS IN MILITARY LIFE
Coping with Stress Problem-Focused Coping and Emotion-Focused Coping
Getting Outside Help
Biofeedback
Relaxation - Concentrative Meditation - Mindful Meditation Developing Communication Skill
Aerobic Exercise
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STRESS IN MILITARY LIFE
Combat Stress Management
Training
Equipment
Teaching (Combat Stress & Relaxation)
Information
Keeping Troops Active
Tactical Soundness of Commander
Ensured Sleep
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CONCLUSION
Stress is a common experience Unpleasant state of emotional & physiological
arousal People perceive as threatening to well-being Stress may hinder performance on difficult task Optimum stress enhance motivation &
performance No stress no life
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RECOMMENDATION
Religious and ethical values to be focused Change of social environment Healthful living Healthy working environment Avoid too-much-to-do Harmony in family life Out sourcing Awareness on relaxation technique
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...ANY?
Stress and depression: The result of not abiding by the religion.
“But if anyone turns away from my reminder, his
life will be a dark and narrow one” (Quran:20:124)