Unit 2: Aspects of Personal Development  EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS
MODULE 5: COPING WITH STRESS IN MIDDLE  Impatience or irritability
 Feeling overwhelmed
AND LATE ADOLESCENCE
 Feeling bad about yourself
 Becoming easily agitated, frustrated and
moody
STRESS: A physical, mental or emotional strain or
tension. It is the body’s response to a threatening
 BEHAVIOAL SYMPTOMS
situation or to change.
 Over or under-eating
 Sleeping too much or too little
EUSTRESS (Positive Stress): occurs when your level  Using alcohol, cigarette or drugs to relax
of stress is high enough to motivate you to move into  Social withdrawal and isolation
action to get things accomplished.  Reduced work efficiency or productivity
DISTRESS (Positive Stress): occurs when your level  PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
of stress is either too high or too low and your body  Aches and pains (e.g. muscle spasms,
and/or mind begins to respond negatively to the headaches, back pain)
stressors.  Constant tiredness, fatigue
 Chest pain or rapid heartbeat
“The manner in which stress affects us depends  Gritting, grinding teeth
on how we choose to think about stress, and how  Cold or sweaty hands/feet
we respond to it.”
STRESS RESPONSE: Collection of physiological
TYPES OF STRESS: changes that occur when you face a perceived threat:
face situations (stressors) where you feel the demands
 ACUTE STRESS - Stress that we experience on a outweigh your resources to successfully cope.
daily basis.
 EPISODIC STRESS - It results from acute problems COMMON STRESSORS:
that happen more frequently than normal.
 CHRONIC STRESS - Long-term debilitating stress  MAJOR LIFE CHANGES
that can negatively affect relationships and health.  Starting college
 Transferring to a new school
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:  Moving to a new house
 Loss of a loved one
 COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS  Marriage; pregnancy; break-ups or divorce
 Inability to concentrate
 Forgetfulness  HEALTH ISSUES
 Excessive worrying  Chronic illness
 Seeing only the negative  Injuries
 Poor judgment  Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
 RESPONSIBIITIES AT SCHOOL
 Subject requirements
 Relationship with teachers and classmates
 School activities
 Examinations
 TRAUMATIC EVENTS
 Accidents
 Natural calamities and disasters such as fire,
earthquake, typhoon, landslides, etc.
 Physical and sexual violence or abuse
 War or acts of terrorism
TIPS FOR COPING WITH STRESS:
 TAKE CARE OF YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH. Eat well-
balanced meals; Exercise; Get enough sleep
 DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY. Read a book; Sing;
Watch a movie
 EXPRESS YOURSELF. Write in a journal; Create an
artwork
 BE POSITIVE. Make a list of the things you are
grateful for
 MANAGE YOUR TIME. Organize your activities;
Learn to prioritize
 MANAGE YOUR FINANCES. Learn how to budget;
Distinguish your needs from your wants
 LEARN WAYS TO RELAX. Focus on the present;
Practice deep breathing exercises, meditation or
mindfulness; Listen to music
 SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE WHO CARE. Share your
feelings with a trusted friend or family; Spend time
with positive people