NCJ Number
64738
Date Published
Unknown
Length
82 pages
Annotation
RECOGNIZING AND COPING WITH A STRESSFUL LIFESTYLE IS THE THEME OF THIS MANUAL DEVELOPED BY THE CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST OF THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AT ENGLEWOOD, COLO.
Abstract
USING A MIXTURE OF LISTS, CHARTS, BREAKDOWNS OF INFORMATION, AND CARTOONS, THE MANUAL EXPLAINS CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND SIGNS OF STRESS IN LAY PERSON'S TERMS. IT FOCUSES ON SOME BEHAVIOR AND PERSONALITY PATTERNS AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND HABITS THAT MAKE PERSONS VULNERABLE TO STRESS (COMPETITIVE DRIVE, INABILITY TO MAKE REASONABLE DEMANDS OF SELF, EXCESS WEIGHT AND INFREQUENT EXERCISE, SMOKING AND CAFFEINE INTAKE. ETC.). SIGNS OF STRESS ON THE JOB ARE LISTED AS WELL AS PHYSIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DISTRESS SUCH AS SWEATING, IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR, EXCESSIVE DRINKING, AND PROCRASTINATION. SOME EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM STRESS ARE ALSO LISTED WITH EXAMPLES OF CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING DISEASES OR MORE MINOR AILMENTS SUCH AS MIGRAINE OR TENSION HEADACHES. CHARACTERISTICS OF 'TYPE A' PERSONALITIES, OR PERSONALITIES LIKELY TO DEVELOP SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS ARE OUTLINED, AS ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF 'TYPE B' OR LESS COMPETITIVE, MORE RELAXED PERSONALITIES. AN INVENTORY FOR ASSESSING 'BURNOUT' OR PROBLEM OVERLOAD SYMPTOMS FOR CLIENT-ORIENTED PROFESSIONALS IS GIVEN, AND VARIOUS STRESS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ARE DELINEATED, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF HOBBIES, EXERCISE ROUTINES AND HEALTH-ORIENTED LIFESTYLES, AND ASSERTIVE, RATHER THAN HOSTILE WAYS OF RELATING. AN ESSAY ON ANGER MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING THOUGHT PATTERN, EMOTIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL CONTROL IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR. SKETCHES ILLUSTRATING VARIOUS CONCEPTS AND A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE APPENDED.