Stress, anxiety may not be as harmful as you think


New York, Aug 13 (IANS): People generally think of stress and anxiety as negative concepts, now new study shows that they often play a helpful, not harmful, role in our daily lives.

"Many Americans now feel stressed about being stressed and anxious about being anxious. Unfortunately, by the time someone reaches out to a professional for help, stress and anxiety have already built to unhealthy levels," said study researcher Lisa Damour, private-practice psychologist from the US.

Stress usually occurs when people operate at the edge of their abilities -- when they push themselves or are forced by circumstances to stretch beyond their familiar zones.

It's also important to understand that stress can result from both bad and good events. For instance, being fired is stressful but so is bringing a baby home for the first time.

Anxiety, too, gets an unnecessarily bad rap, said the study.

"As all psychologists know, anxiety is an internal alarm system, likely handed down by evolution, that alerts us to threats both external -- such as a driver swerving in a nearby lane -- and internal -- such as when we have procrastinated too long and it's time to get started on our work," Damour said.

"Similarly, if a client shares that she's worried about an upcoming test for which she has yet to study, I am quick to reassure her that she is having the right reaction and that she will feel better as soon as she hits the books," she added.

According to the researchers, stress causes harm when it exceeds any level that a person can reasonably absorb or use to build psychological strength, likewise, anxiety becomes unhealthy when its alarm makes no sense.

"Untreated stress and anxiety can cause persistent misery but can also contribute to a host of additional psychological and medical symptoms, such as depression or an increased risk of cardiovascular disease", Damour added.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Masters Homeopathy, Hyderabad

    Tue, Aug 13 2019

    Homeopathic remedies for panic attacks and anxiety ... For mild anxiety and stress, however, homeopathy may be a natural remedy that helps
    Best Homeopathy Hospitals in Hyderabad. Master's Homeopathy is one of the leading well established Homeopathic chain of clinics with branches in Andhrapradesh and Telangana major cities across India. Book An Appointment Today
    https://mastershomeopathy.net/book-appointment-online-masters-homeopathy-hospital/

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Stress, anxiety may not be as harmful as you think



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.