STREE MANAGEMENT

Samir Al-AdawiAssociate Professor

College of Medicine & Health Sciences,

Sultan Qaboos University

Adjustment Disorders: DSM-IV Criteria

Emotional/behavioral symptoms in response to identifiable stressor(s)

Symptoms occur within 3 months of the onset of the stressor

Symptoms do not persist for more than 6 months after termination of stressor

Adjustment

Stress

Burnout

Maladjustment

Symptoms are clinically significant

Significant impairment

Social functioning Occupational functioning

Compromise academic competency

Possible contributory factors

Unfamiliar faces in unfamiliar settings

Different learning methods

Time managementMajnun wa Laila

Road map to maladjustment

Phase 1: “The honeymoon”Individual is initially satisfied and enthusiastic to his or her studies; however job become un-enjoyable and loses energy.

Phase 2: “Fuel Shortage” Constant fatigue sets in, difficulty sleeping; self-medication

Phase 3: “Crisis”

Increased physical illness; s/he takes sick leave; relationships suffer at home; pessimism and self-doubt prevails.

Phase 4: “Hitting the Wall”Physical and psychological problems cause life threatening illnesses; s/he has so many problems at work that career is threatened.

Coping skills

When confronted with negative emotions

Some people isolate themselves and ruminate over the problem

Some people distract themselves (e.g. by exercising)

Some avoid the problem in harmful behavior

How effective is each of these behavior?

Tips for coping

Effective time management

Satu

rday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesd

ay

Thursday

Friday

Satu

rday

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

EthicCommunication skillsAnatomy

Leisure PursuitsDo you have a hobby?

Exercise improves your mood.

Exercise strengthens your heart andlungs.

Exercise promotes better sleep.

• Source: ww.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise

Physical Activity

Importance of Sleep

Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness.

Many studies demonstrate that a healthy sleep produces a significant learning dependent performance boost.

Source: Harvard Women’s Health Watch: http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/importance_of_sleep_and_health.htm

"Know Thyself"

The “Type A” pattern

Becoming impatient while watching others do things you think you can do better or faster

Yes No

Thinking of or doing two things at once Yes No

Scheduling more and more activities into less and less time Yes No

Hurrying the speech of others Yes No

Becoming unduly irritated when forced to wait in line or when driving behind a car you think is moving too slowly

Yes No

Believing that if you want something done well, you have to do it yourself

Yes No

Frequent knee jiggling or rapid tapping of your fingers Yes No

Having difficulty sitting and doing nothing Yes No

From “Type A Behavior and Your Health” by Friedman, Random House, 1974.

Morning vs. Evening Persons

Morning Persons Individuals who feel most energetic and alert early in the day.

Evening Persons

Individuals who feel most energetic and alert late in the day.

Chronobiology

A field of science that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar and lunar related rhythms. These cycles are known as biological rhythms.

(Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronobiology)

Jealousy and envy

Envy is natural to man; and still, it is at once a vice and a source of misery. We should treat it as the enemy of our happiness, and stifle it like an evil thought”.

Arthur Schopenhauer

Topographical features of Oman and stress

Rock

Sand

Water

Topographical features of Oman and stress

Rock-type• As if writing your

problems in the rock, you give way to problems and retain them for a long time

Sand-type• As if writing your

problems in the sand, you give way to disappointment but the disappointment quickly passes away

Fallaj/Wadi-type• As if writing your

problems in running water, always remains pure and undisturbed.

Thank!