Are You Suffering From Symptoms Of Chronic Stress? Take the Stress Test!

Today's post comes from guest author Kit Case from Causey Law Firm.

Signs of Chronic Stress:
Cognitive symptoms
•          Memory problems
•          Inability to concentrate
•          Poor judgment
•          Pessimistic approach or thoughts
•          Anxious or racing thoughts
•          Constant worrying
Emotional symptoms
•          Moodiness
•          Irritability or short temper
•          Agitation, inability to relax
•          Feeling overwhelmed
•          Sense of loneliness and isolation
•          Depression or general unhappiness
Physical symptoms
•          Aches and pains
•          Diarrhea or constipation
•          Nausea, dizziness
•          Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
•          Loss of sex drive
•          Frequent colds
Behavioral symptoms
•          Eating more or less
•          Sleeping too much or too little
•          Isolating oneself from others
•          Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
•          Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

Take the Stress Test for Adults:
Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe in 1967, examined the medical records of over 5,000 medical patients as a way to determine whether stressful events might cause illnesses. Patients were asked to tally a list of 43 life events based on a relative score. A positive correlation was found between their life events and their illnesses.
Their results were published as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), known more commonly as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale.
To measure stress according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, the number of "Life Change Units" that apply to events in the past year of an individual's life are added and the final score will give a rough estimate of how stress affects health.
Note: the table, below, is from the Wikipedia page on this subject.  For a fee of $5.00, you can go directly to Dr. Rahe's website and obtain the full test materials as well as background information and details of this and other products and services available.

To measure stress according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, the number of "Life Change Units" that apply to events in the past year of an individual's life are added and the final score will give a rough estimate of how stress affects health.

Life event	Life change units
Death of a spouse	100
Divorce	73
Marital separation	65
Imprisonment	63
Death of a close family member	63
Personal injury or illness	53
Marriage	50
Dismissal from work	47
Marital reconciliation	45
Retirement	45
Change in health of family member	44
Pregnancy	40
Sexual difficulties	39
Gain a new family member	39
Business readjustment	39
Change in financial state	38
Death of a close friend	37
Change to different line of work	36
Change in frequency of arguments	35
Major mortgage	32
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan	30
Change in responsibilities at work	29
Child leaving home	29
Trouble with in-laws	29
Outstanding personal achievement	28
Spouse starts or stops work	26
Begin or end school	26
Change in living conditions	25
Revision of personal habits	24
Trouble with boss	23
Change in working hours or conditions	20
Change in residence	20
Change in schools	20
Change in recreation	19
Change in church activities	19
Change in social activities	18
Minor mortgage or loan	17
Change in sleeping habits	16
Change in number of family reunions	15
Change in eating habits	15
Vacation	13
Christmas	12
Minor violation of law	11

Score of 300+: At risk of illness.
Score of 150-299+: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).
Score 150-: Only have a slight risk of illness.

Recommended methods for relieving chronic stress include exercise (which can be modified to accommodate physical restrictions after an injury), meditation, music therapy, breathing techniques, and such simple things as companionship - from a pet, friend or family member.