|
Take out your Stress Log. When you look at your
various stressors and stress symptoms, it often
appears as if the stressor causes the reaction.
For example:
| Stressor: |
I am given a new project, when I haven't completed the
last one. |
| Reaction:
|
Stomachache,
extreme irritability |
It is crucial to note, however, that an important event occurred
in between the two: an interpretation was made about the stressor by the person experiencing it. In other words,
the individual had some thoughts about the stressor. In most cases, it is these thoughts which in fact
lead to the reaction, rather than the stressor itself. For example:
| Stressor: |
I am given a new project, when I haven't completed the
last one. |
| Thought: |
I'll
never get everything done in time. I could
lose my job! |
| Reaction:
|
Stomachache,
extreme irritability |
Here we see that the thoughts of "never getting
things done in time" and losing one's job is what is understandably leading to the physical symptoms.
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