What Is Stress?
True or False: Stress is always harmful.
False (Stress is not inherently bad)
Stress becomes a problem when there is too much of it over what period of time?
A prolonged or chronic period
Name one physical warning sign of stress.
Muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbance, etc.
What is the first step in managing stressors?
Identifying them
What is the goal of stress management skills?
To reduce emotional intensity and cope more effectively
Stress is a natural response involving which three things?
Mind, body, and environment
Name one physical health issue linked to chronic stress.
Insomnia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Name one behavioral sign of stress.
Isolation, procrastination, increased substance use, conflicts
True or False: You can always control your stressors.
False
Name one skill clients may already have used to manage stress.
Any appropriate coping skill
What level of stress helps us stay alert and perform well?
An optimal level of stress
Name one mental health difficulty linked to chronic stress.
Anxiety or depression
Name one psychological sign of stress.
Irritability, feeling overwhelmed, poor concentration
If a stressor is outside your control, what can you work on instead?
How you respond to it
DBT skills are most helpful when stress is intense and short-term — which skill set is this?
Distress tolerance
Why can being too relaxed sometimes be a problem?
It can reduce motivation and readiness to respond
According to the handout, what happens when stress overtaxes the body?
Physical and mental resources become depleted
Which category includes restricted breathing and talking fast?
Behavioral
Name one example of making an uncontrollable stressor more manageable.
Taking breaks, improving sleep, adjusting schedule, delegating
Why is sleep, nutrition, and health care important for stress management?
Which nervous system is activated during stress to prepare us to act?
The sympathetic nervous system
True or False: Stress affects everyone the same way.
False
Why is identifying personal warning signs important?
It increases awareness and allows earlier intervention
Which DBT skill helps accept stress that cannot be changed?
Why does using skills before stress becomes overwhelming matter?
Early intervention prevents escalation