What Matters Most When Dealing with Extreme Stress

There are many instances when people find themselves dealing with extreme stress. Similarly, there are many causes for that high level of stress and anxiety to appear. One type of situation we can use for example, is a disaster which can produce high levels of stress. Those types of event often produce the common reactions of strong denial and symptoms of shock. One or the other may arise more quickly immediately after the event. Understanding that these two reactions are natural responses that are created to offer protection to the individual is important. Let's explore some more points as they concern dealing with extreme stress.

There are certain ways that we already know about in how people will deal with extreme stress. Seeing how people react in different patterns can be most interesting. A delayed reaction or an immediate reaction are a two examples. Such occurrences may be short lived or last for a long time. The way a person handles a situation can depend on the circumstances. Sometimes stress reactions may not happen until after some time has passed, so the person may not connect them to their origins. There could be inaccuracies and also confusion as to the reason for the reactions and what needs to be done about them. For that reason, it is important to get a broad overview of ones circumstances when dealing with that kind of situation. We know from previous discussion in other articles that a personal support system is valuable. Family and friends can make a helpful positive impact by being empathic and communicating with us. Being about to talk about the traumatic experience is an extremely helpful coping mechanism. But a word of caution must be made about personal support approaches. The results may not be as positive in members of that support have a shared experience that was extremely stressful or traumatic. If the other person is dealing well with the trauma, then this could be a non-issue.

Dealing with extreme stress and getting to a place of healing can take many steps. One way to cope is to understand that the stress reactions are causing a significant problem. When you get to that point, it would be wise to ask someone you trust for advice or get in touch with a professional. The same course of action will probably be given by the person you go to for advice. Then, once you speak with a trained professional counselor or psychologist, then further professional treatment will be suggested to you.

If you are ever involved in an extremely stressful situation, awareness can become a tool that you can use to your advantage. Some people will be at greater risk at having poor coping skills because they haven't taken the time to think about possible reactions and consequences to what has happened. With self-education or by simply obtaining the advice of a professional, you do have the ability to help yourself.