We explain how this common psychopathology can be classified.
However, is all stress bad? Can stress be beneficial? Does its duration have something to do with it? These are some of the questions that we are going to answer in this article by talking about the different types of stress that exist and their causes.
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Types of stress: characteristics, causes and symptoms
When we classify stress we can do so based on two criteria . Depending on its sign and, therefore, whether it is beneficial or detrimental to the person’s health, and depending on its duration over time.
1. Based on your sign
Stress can be positive or negative.
1.1. Positive stress or eustress
Although the term ‘stress’ is popularly considered to be synonymous with something negative and undesirable, the truth is that, in adequate doses, it acquires an adaptive purpose .
Positive stress or eustress arises when the person is under pressure, but the situation that generates it implies some kind of benefit for the person. For this reason the person accepts this pressure on him.
This makes the person motivated and with a lot of energy, making them continue without stopping and being satisfied while doing it.
An example of this is sports activities, such as cycling up a hill. In this situation, you feel the stress of having to keep pedaling and, thus, be able to complete the climb which, as a positive consequence, releases endorphins that offer psychological and physical well-being to the person.
1.2. Negative stress or distress
Negative stress, also called distress, is what corresponds to the common definition of what is meant by stress . It occurs in situations in which it is anticipated that something bad is going to happen or that it is not going to be possible to control the situation that is coming.
Negative stress, especially if it occurs over long periods of time, implies that one is totally affected in their correct daily performance, disorganizes the routine and makes it impossible to clearly see what resources are available to deal with situations that are normally easily solvable.
Thus, this type of stress involves negative emotions, according to its sign: sadness, bitterness, depression , anguish, anger, anger… In addition, it can involve the appearance of pathologies, both physically and psychologically.
2. Based on its duration
The first criterion to determine what types of stress exist is the duration of the symptoms.
2.1. acute stress
This is the most common type of stress and occurs in the face of specific pressures. On a day-to-day basis, demands arise that are perfectly normal, which can be self-imposed or due to requirements that others ask to be met.
If it is given in small doses and not very often, it can play a positive role, since it keeps the person active, allowing them to be motivated enough to meet their goals and put some effort into achieving them.
However, if it goes further, there may be negative repercussions on the body, both mentally and physically, although not permanently. Among the main signs of acute stress are:
- Muscle pain : especially in the back and contractures.
- Negative emotions : depression, anxiety, fear, anguish, irritability…
- Gastrointestinal problems : nausea, constipation, heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
- Stress on the nervous system : increased blood pressure, insomnia, palpitations, sweating and migraines.
2.2. episodic acute stress
Episodic acute stress is usually the type of stress for which the most visits are made. People who suffer from it have demands that, in practice, are unrealistic or beyond their reach, something that frustrates and overwhelms them.
Thus, people who suffer from this type of stress can enter a spiral of assumption of responsibilities , marked by a disorganized life and the perception that they live in a continuous crisis.
They are shown as irritated people, who are always on the defensive, with a sour and very nervous character. They tend to blame others for their own problems.
In addition, they are very distressed because they want to have control over all the variables in their lives but find that they cannot.
As a result of not being able to control all aspects of their lives, they are excessively worried about the future.
People suffering from episodic acute stress can be so tense that they refuse to see a mental health professional due to their constant state of tension and hostility.
23. chronic stress
This is the most damaging type of stress, since it is long lasting . It also generates a high level of hopelessness, causing the entire scale of values and beliefs of the person who suffers it to be modified.
It appears in unflattering situations, in which misfortunes abound, such as wars, extreme poverty, living in a prison and other contexts where you are in a constant state of alert.
It can also be due to having had a particularly traumatic childhood, in which abuse of all kinds abounded or lived in an unflattering situation.
People who suffer from chronic stress live in constant physical and emotional exhaustion, in addition to suffering from its corresponding consequences for life.
It must be said that, after a long time, the fact of suffering stress can become an important part of the person’s identity, which can make him feel that if he gets rid of it, he loses part of himself.
For this reason, they may be less aware of their real problem and avoid going to the clinic to treat their discomfort. Unfortunately, whether or not the person wants to get rid of their stress, this state of chronic discomfort implies a serious affectation in their life.
In the long run, chronic stress ends up killing a person, whether in the form of a heart attack, stroke, cancer, or simply because the person commits suicide.
Risk factor’s
The causes behind stress are various, but they can be classified based on two main categories; psychological agents and environmental agents, which act in combination on the appearance and severity of stress.
Psychological or internal agents
There are different causes and circumstances, internal and external, that can precipitate an episode of stress .
Let’s start talking about psychological or internal agents.
1. Internal locus of control vs. external
The locus of control refers to the causality that is attributed to different events that happen to us in our day to day.
We speak of internal locus of control when the person considers that what has happened to him has been due to something he has done, while the locus of control is external when the person attributes something that is beyond his control as the cause .
In most cases, people who have a more external locus of control tend to have higher levels of stress. This is because, having the subjective perception that what happens to them is out of their control, they feel great helplessness that generates high levels of discomfort.
2. Introversion
The most introverted people, that is, shy, are sensitive to situations in which stress can be generated . They tend to withdraw more into themselves instead of facing a specific situation.
3. Predisposition to anxiety
There are people who have a tendency to feel restless in situations of uncertainty. Due to this, unconsciously and without a necessarily clear cause, they can experience a stressful situation more easily.
Environmental or external agents
There are also external factors that can increase the chances of suffering stress.
1. End of an era
Throughout life, there are many moments in which a vital period ends, such as, for example, finishing studies, breaking up with a partner, no longer living at home with parents…
The end of this type of cycle carries with it the suspension of the routine and, therefore, the appearance of a void in the place where it was.
Every end is the beginning of something and this is when the fear of the unknown arises, not knowing if you are going to adapt to the new situation, which can generate discomfort in the form of stress.
2. Changes from day to day
Routine is something that gives stability to our life. There are many people who need a structured life to be able to give the most of themselves.
However, nothing in this world is perfect and schedules can be affected by the occurrence of an unforeseen event , which generates uncertainty and, consequently, stress.
3. Facing something that doesn’t seem like it’s going to change
Sometimes there are situations in which it does not seem that any type of influence can be exerted for a change to take place . Examples of this are living in an extremely dysfunctional family, a war or being abused as a child.
Although the situation can be solved by itself, the person will hardly be able to make any changes without putting a lot of effort into it or having adequate resources.
That is why when living in this type of situation, one lives in a constant state of overflow, which generates a lot of discomfort and psychological wear.
- If you need psychological care, you can consult this article: “The 20 best Spanish psychologists”
Bibliographic references
- Cano, A. (2002). The Nature of Stress. IV international congress of the Spanish Society for the study of Anxiety and Stress. Madrid: SEAS.
- Huther, Gerald (2012). Biology of fear. Stress and feelings. Barcelona: Editorial Platform.
- Sandin, B. (1999). Psychosocial stress. Madrid: DOPPEL.
- Wulf Saur. (2012). Illnesses associated with the workplace. Biomedical Therapy
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.