Stress-Related Disorders Sourcebook Book

Preface     xiii
Understanding Stress and the Stress Response
Overview of Stress, Its Causes, and Stress-Related Disorders     3
Stressed Out Nation: Many Americans Cope with Stress in Unhealthy Ways     37
Signs and Symptoms of Stress     41
The Effects of Stress on the Body and Mind     49
Statistics on Stress: Variations among Demographic Groups     53
Genes, Personality, and Anxiety-Related Traits     65
Gender Differences in Stress Management     69
Women, Stress, and Hormones     70
Relationship Conflicts Stress Men More Than Women     73
Stress at Work     75
Statistics on Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace     76
Causes of Job Stress and Effects on Productivity     81
Burnout: The Body's Response to Constant Levels of High Stress     89
Negative Health Effects of Financial Stress     97
Caregiver Stress     103
Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Chronic Stress     111
Childhood Stress     115
Adolescent Stress     119
Stress and Aging     125
The Physical Effects of Stress
How Stress Affects the Body: The Link to Serious, Life-Threatening Diseases     131
Stress and Sleep     141
The Dietary and Weight Consequences of Stress     147
Stress: The Number-One Emotional Eating Trigger     148
The Perils of Stress Eating     151
Binge Behavior and Addiction Linked to Stress     154
Night Eating Syndrome Caused or Triggered by Stress     156
Stress and Headaches     159
Stress, Mood, and Headaches     160
Tension Headaches Often Caused by Stress     164
Medications and Stress Management Most Effective for Treating Tension Headaches     181
Stress and Chronic Pain     185
Stress and Arthritis Pain     186
Mood and Stress Predict Pain in Children with Arthritis     187
Depression and Stress Linked to Neck, Shoulder, and Back Pain in Teens     189
Stress and the Brain and Nervous System     191
Stress and the Developing Brain     192
The Latest Research on Stress and Stroke Risk     195
Distress-Prone People More Likely to Develop Alzheimer's Risk     196
Stress and Multiple Sclerosis     198
The Cardiovascular Consequences of Stress     201
Stress and Heart Disease     202
Mental Stress Increases Risk of Death in People with Heart Disease     208
Does Stress Cause High Blood Pressure?      210
Stress Raises Cholesterol Levels     213
Stress, Diabetes, and Related Syndromes     215
Chronic Stress Increases Risk of Diabetes and Related Disorders     216
Stress at Work and the Metabolic Syndrome     219
Therapy Helps Kids with Type 1 Diabetes Reduce Stress     222
Stress and Digestive Diseases     225
Does Stress Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome?     226
Does Stress Cause Peptic Ulcers?     230
Stress and the Immune System     233
What Happens When the Immune System Is under Stress?     234
Stress Wears down Human Immunity over Time     239
Stress, Sexuality, and the Reproductive System     243
Does Stress Hinder Conception?     244
Stress during Pregnancy: Maternal Effects     246
Anxiety Disorders and Pregnancy     250
Stress during Pregnancy May Increase Risk of Mental Illness in Children     257
Too Stressed for Sex: How Stress and Emotions Affect Sexuality in Later Life     261
The Relationship between Stress and Other Health Problems     265
Chronic Stress and Periodontal Disease     266
Stress and Asthma     267
Psychological Stress and Cancer: Is There a Link?     270
Stress and Mental Health Disorders
The Link between Stress and Depression     275
All about Depression     281
The Stress-Bipolar Disorder Link     297
Understanding the Link between Stress and Anxiety Disorders     301
What Is an Anxiety Disorder?     302
Anxiety Disorders: The Most Common Psychiatric Illness     304
Types of Anxiety Disorders     307
Panic Disorder     308
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder     310
Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)     312
Specific Phobias     313
Generalized Anxiety Disorder     314
Getting Help for Anxiety Disorders     317
Tobacco Addiction and Stress     325
Alcohol Use, Addiction, and Stress     329
Alcohol and Stress     330
Study Links Receptor to Stress-Induced Alcohol Relapse     334
Drug Addiction and Stress     337
The Relationship between Drug Use and Stress     338
Opiate Drugs Increase Vulnerability to Stress     343
Stress after Trauma, Loss, or Disaster
Trauma, Loss, and Traumatic Grief     347
Common Reactions to Trauma     353
Stress after Loss: The Effects of Traumatic Experiences     357
Mass Diasters, Trauma, and Loss     365
Severe Stress Reactions after Disaster     371
Managing Grief after a Disaster     372
Which Individuals Are at Risk for Severe Stress Responses?     378
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Chronic Stress after Trauma     381
Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions     385
Helping Children and Adolescents with Traumatic Stress     391
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Family     392
Helping Children Heal after a Traumatic Event     399
Tips on Helping Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety     409
Age-Specific Interventions for Your Traumatized Child or Adolescent     410
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Risk of Suicide     413
Helping Friends in Trouble: Suicide Danger Signals     423
Controlling and Reducing Stress
Overview of Stress Management and Reduction Techniques     431
Alternative Approaches to Maintaining Mental Health     437
Mind-Body Medicine and Its Effect on Stress Levels     443
Massage Therapy     451
Meditation and Other Relaxation Techniques     459
Meditation for Health Purposes     460
Autogenic Training: Improving Body Awareness and Relaxation     465
Reducing Stress with Nutrition and Exercise      467
Handling Stress with Good Nutrition     468
Exercise for Stress Relief     470
Yoga and Tai Chi for Stress Relief     473
Herbs Used to Reduce Stress and Anxiety Symptoms     481
Kava     482
Valerian     484
Controlling Anger before It Controls You     487
Stress on the Road     495
What Is Aggressive Driving and Road Rage?     496
Tips for Reducing Aggressive Driving     497
Reducing Stress in the Workplace     499
What Employers and Managers Can Do to Reduce Stress at Work     500
Coping with Techno-Stress: Tips on Managing Cellular Phones, E-mail, and Other Gadgets in Your Life     507
Social Support Provides Stress Relief     509
Finding Support through Self-Help Groups     510
Religious Beliefs Can Protect Psychological Well-Being during Stressful Experiences     512
Strategies for Managing Family Stress     515
Make Time for Yourself So You Can Care for Others     516
Tips on Reducing Stress for Family Caregivers     518
Program for Parents of Preemies Reduces Stress     524
Controlling and Minimizing Holiday Stress     526
Helping Children and Teens Manage Stress      529
Adults Can Help Kids Cope with Stress     530
De-Stressing Strategies for Kids     533
Is Your Child Too Busy?     536
Dealing with Media Stress: How to Talk to Your Child about the News     540
What Parents Can Do about School-Related Stress     543
Tips for Teens about Test-Related Anxiety     545
Stress Management for People with Physical Disabilities     549
Additional Help and Information
Glossary of Stress-Related Terms     567
Directory of Government and Private Agencies That Provide Information about Stress and Stress-Related Disorders     573
Index     587