By Sam Doughty
Stress has become one of the curses of modern day life. It affects soldier, sailor, airman or civilian, rich or poor, employed or unemployed. Some cope, some don’t.
Symptoms can be devastating and stress can compound or be responsible for illness or even death. So what is it? How can we recognise it? And how can it be beaten?
Stress in the armed forces is an intergral part of the job so we thought the expert knowledge of leading British Psychoanalyst, Michael Whitenburgh, the head of the Liverpool based `School of Stress Counselling`. We put the question to him in his Harley Street Stress Clinic in London.
He explained, “Stress is a state of mind- it is not necessarily a negative force, it can get the adrenalin flowing and boost our performance. When it is negative it can be crippling for the individual under stress and their family and friends, and in the military context can cloud the judgement of an otherwise effective leader.
“Stress is about fear-in our profession we know it as the `fight or flight syndrome`. When ancient man was confronted by a problem-say a sabre tooth tiger- he had to decide whether to stand or fight or run like hell!
“Either way the mind prescribed a quick dose of adrenalin which boosted the power of the muscles for running away or battling on”.
In a military situation officers and more often NCOs “psych up” their men- and women-for battle. By deliberately inducing stress and fear, the adrenalin starts pumping and creates a fearsome fighting machine.
This was a factor in the Gulf War, many were psychologically hyped-up to fight, kill and hate the enemy. Because of the shortness of the war some did not have a chance to work out the aggression from their systems, and this presents the negative side of stress.
Returning home they are still highly charged under stress. Some can come down on their own, others need help. Stress bursts out in emotional and physical problems, the classical case is that of a panic attack. First a problem- then the mind goes into overdrive and releases the chemicals into the body, the heart beats faster, breathing speeds up, the mind does not know whether to fight or flee, so it takes the other action devised to fool the primevil predator, feign death. Fainting is the subconscious way of doing this.
Aggression is more likely in the service man. He subject starts a mood change when he or she cannot deal with a problem and becomes extremely aggressive. A physical wound is treated by professionals so why not an emotional wound-and war can cause many of these. You are not a wimp to seek help, but a responsible person looking after yourself and your colleagues.
Stress has an outlet in many ways, some conditions that cause married couples anguish are sexual problems, men under stress can become impotent and woman frigid. Even conception can be prevented by stress, although this condition can have other more deep seated problems.
We all know that ulcers are caused by worry, the old word for stress, but there are many more illnesses. Respiratory problems such as asthma can have their origin in stress, so can diseases such as acne and psoriasis.
SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME
Michael Whitenburgh suspects that stress is responsible for a condition known in the medical profession as `sudden death syndrome`. Young healthy people in their mid twenties die in their sleep and their is no apparent cause. A sort of cot death of young adults. He believes there have been 50,000 such cases which have got doctors baffled.
Today’s stress, especially on Civvy Street, is not all as a reaction to physical conflict. It is not having work, knowing you can do a job but not being allowed to do it, having to watch your budget, the rise in mortgage rate, pressure from the kids to buy gear you cannot afford because their pals have it, not having holidays or things your neighbours have. It is the frustration of the unemployed- the frustration leads to stress if it is not relieved. Many women will tell you that they will have a good cry and feel better. Men cannot, they shout and swear or lash out. The burst of energy can temporarily relieve pressure but if the feeling persists, seek professional help.
The World Health Organisation say that 70% of illnesses have stress related problems. Talking to doctors they consider this to be conservative. One confided in Michael Whitenburgh, because of high unemployment, well over 85% of his patients were affected by stress to greater or lesser degree.
Another hard pressed doctor admitted he could only treat the symptoms and was forced to prescribe drugs to ease the stress. He was concerned that he could not provide the time and that there was no real stress counselling on the National Health.
The high level of unemployment is a major factor in creating stress. But stress is not confined to the jobless- it is prevalent amongst the working population.
We have heard of executive stress, much of which is caused by increasing competitive society in which we live and work. The pressure is not the prerogative of the Board Room- it is felt by all levels in business. The ambulance driver, the typist, the clerk, the teacher and the manager are all susceptible to stress, even the shop steward- although he or she may be able to work out their frustration on management.
Much of stress at work is unnecessary. Workers in offices and factories are more intelligent than some of their bosses realise or care to admit. Giving employees more responsibility for planning their tasks and encouraging dialogue about the efficient running of the section or office can make economic sense. It can also reduce frustration of staff- the major cause of work related stress.
MANAGING TO BEAT STRESS
The first step to reduce stress at work and in the armed forces is to learn to recognise the symptoms in your self and colleagues. This needs training. Employing the services of Stress Management Counsellor has reduced absenteeism by up to 60 % in American Corporations.
When stress strikes it can be a problem with a variety of ways in which it can be relieved. In most cases the remedies can be quite simple, but occasionally there is one which requires more probing, but it all boils down to learning to relax.
Self help can be obtained from specialist relaxation tapes but undoubtedly stress management counselling is the best step. The availability for an employee to visit a counsellor who can then determine whether a good talk or hypnotherapy or a more detailed exploration of the root cause with a qualified analyst is best for the individual.
A final though from Michael Whitenburgh, “Any organisation will benefit by doing a stress audit, training staff to recognise stress in themselves and in their colleagues. Employ the services of a counsellor who is trained to deal with emotional problems. A counselling service helps staff to be more productive, more relaxed staff, and absenteeism, and reduces the call on our overworked doctors.
Learn by private tuition and gain a diploma in:-
STRESS MANAGEMENT COUNSELLING AND HYPNOTHERAPY
Learn the conventional counselling and hypnotherapy techniques to treat stress and other emotional problems. Home study supported by group workshops.
Choice of residential workshops at our Wirral conference centre, or non residential in Harley Street, London, and Rodney Street , Liverpool. Plus special one to one objectivity skills, training and treatment, essential to protect your mind.
Course devised and controlled by leading British psychoanalyst, Michael Whitenburgh.
Qualified counsellors can apply their skills in private or group practice, medical practices, in business and commerce, local and national government departments.
Course fee £1997-50 held for all reservations before 1 September 1992.
You may be eligible for the Government sponsored Career Development Loan for up to 80% fee.
MANAGEING STRESS
The school with its associatated organisations have a co-ordinated approach to stress
TUITION for Stress Management Counsellors and Hypnotherapists, and assertive training for the individual.
TREATMENT for the individual at the Whitenburgh Stress Clinics.
TRAINING for the organisations for employees and managers to understand stress and its management, Seminars, lectures, training courses and individuals counselling is the province of Corporate Stress Limited.
All enquiries to 88 Rodney Street Liverpool L1 9AR.