Stress: Stress Test

In common parlance, the stress reactions are called stress. The stress reactions are the actual symptoms and complaints. They are caused by stresses or so-called “stressors”. The individual processing of the various stressors – coping behavior, adaptation behavior – is decisive for the occurrence of stress consequences in the case of permanent stress. The most common stress consequences of stress are

• Depression
• Cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and stroke (apoplexy)
• Osteoporosis
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Back and neck pain
• Vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus, migraine
• Somatoform complaints and pain – Functional pain syndromes, especially headaches.

Symptoms and complaints

The multiple stressors that can affect us lead to a certain pattern of symptoms – “stress reactions”. Stress symptoms are initially perceived as the actual complaints. Stress reactions can manifest themselves on three levels

• At the physical level
• At the behavioral level
• At the level of thoughts and feelings – “cognitive-emotional level”.

The symptoms at the behavioral level are also visible to the outsider, in contrast to the symptoms of the hidden level of thoughts and feelings, which the affected person can feel only himself. The stress symptoms often first play out on the physical level – for example, headaches, dizziness. A particularly important symptom is the feeling of exhaustion, which can become quite dominant if the stressors continue for too long; it is the focus of a special form of continuous stress, the burnout syndrome.

Diagnostics

Continuous stress and severe life events are the most important causes of depression. This makes stress diagnostics and the resulting stress management all the more important. The stress test is part of all medical checks as part of your health care and preventive care. With the stress test, your doctor will perform the necessary examinations if symptoms or illnesses are present. The stress test is used to determine your individual risk for stress.

Test	Indication / comorbidities
	Diseases	Complaints/symptoms
Stress Acute stress reaction Post-traumatic stress disorder Adjustment disorder	Alcohol abuse, depression, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dysuria, cardiac neurosis, hypertension, immune insufficiency, lumbar vertebral syndrome.	Erectile dysfunction, libido disorder, unemployment, Back pain, etc.

Procedure

The first step is to discuss the stresses/strains. The following questions will be discussed:

• Are there critical life events?
• Are there day-to-day stresses?
• What disturbs in the working environment?
• Is there evidence of bullying?
• Is there evidence of burnout syndrome?
• Are there recent concerns about your own physical and mental illnesses that are severe enough to diminish your sense of well-being?
• Are there positive or negative aspects in lifestyle, for example, diet, exercise, alcohol?

In the second step, the consequences of stress are discussed. The following questions will be discussed:

• Where are there limitations in the quality of life or well-being?
• What physical or mental disorders are most severe?

In the third step, the processing of the stresses / stress is discussed. The following topics will be discussed:

• Attention is drawn to the positive resources from the “Emotional Intelligence” and “Social Support”.
• The potential of buffer zones is emphasized.
• Positive coping strategies are executed
• When present, the risks of negative coping strategies and negative personality traits, such as perfectionism, are addressed.

Therapy

A distinction must be made

• Self-help
• Help from a doctor or psychologist

There are many self-help options for the prevention of permanent stress

• Caesura in the daily routine put – for example, nap.
• Proper time management
• Relaxation exercises
• Change attitudes constructively and positively
• Sporting activity
• Proper diet
• Micronutrient therapy
• Learning to enjoy

Among specialist advice, stress management based on cognitive behavioral therapy has been particularly successful.

Your benefit

We help you to establish a new balance in the areas of your life. In this way, you will rebalance mismatches between internal and external demands on the one hand and coping options on the other – your concentration and performance will improve.