ABSTRACT
Stress is a pattern of physiological, behavioural, emotional and cognitive responses to real or imagined stimuli that are perceived as blocking a goal, or endangering, or otherwise threatening our well-being. External stressors have different effects on different people. Chronic stress and a lack of coping resources can often lead to the development of psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. The physiological response to stress demands much of the body’s energy and resources, and has great impact on disease and risk for disease. Cohen’s team classified the different types of stressors into three categories: crises/catastrophes, major life events, and daily hassles/micro-stressors. Stress scales are lists of life events that can contribute to illness in an individual. The chapter looks at some of the ways individuals normally deal with perceived threats, that may or may not be stressful, in different ways.
