The typical stress victim is overly conscientious, of above-average intelligence, ambitious, dependable, responsible, energetic, exacting, frequently perfectionist, impatient, and demanding of himself and others. Usually he has difficulty in relaxing and a strong need for recognition and success. He is a ‘high pressure type’, often holding middle-management positions that require precision, efficiency and organization. Most overreach themselves, setting goals that everyone else knows are unattainable. Their inner instability is often masked by outward calm, and although they tend to be over-achievers, they suffer from feelings of inadequacy that only drive them to push themselves even harder; they constantly operate under a heavy load of anxiety and fear of failure which results in a very high level of self-generated tension.
Unfortunately modern man has built a society which presents daily stresses that can make too many demands on us physically, mentally and emotionally. We are simply not adapting to these stresses satisfactorily. If in the middle of the night somebody makes a loud noise outside, we are instantly awake, with oar hearts pounding, breathing deeply—keyed up for action. This a normal reaction to the stimulus. However, today, modern man goes around permanently keyed up in much the same way. This chronic stress, if it continues, causes our body to adapt to it.
From the outside, all looks well. The body has adapted to the stress. However, in order to do this, every defence available has been mustered, and of course this can only last for a short time before it burns itself out. A ‘burn-out’ will happen when all this adaption fails and some organ ‘collapses’. It may take the form of a psychological illness, a peptic ulcer, asthma, hypertension, or a skin disorder.
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