Stress - Highlights

Highlights

• Stress affects most people at some time. It results in changes throughout the body such as increased heart rate and pumping action as well as immune system changes. Some amount of stress is healthy, but too much negative stress, left untreated, can lead to anxiety and illness.
• Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques have been found to significantly reduce stress in healthy people. It encompasses mindful meditation and yoga. The National Institute of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine continues to study this important aspect of care.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another effective way of reducing stress.
• The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) are validated tools that help researchers and clinicians determine the locus and severity of emotional stress.
• The Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist is a tool used to predict post-traumatic stress disorder. In studies, it was found to be a valid tool (though only women were participants in the valid studies).

Review Date: 10/14/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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