1

Stress Check-UpGroup Appointment

Hidden Stresses and Your Health

2

A Baffling Illness

3

Stress-Related Illness

Illness caused by

past or present

mental or social

stress.

4

Cause of Presenting Symptoms

5

A Wide Range of Symptoms

6

Women Undergoing Laparoscopy

7

Costly and Frustrating

No definitive tests Unhelpful referrals to

specialists

Misleading test

results Serious illness is

ruled out but the person remains ill

8

Symptoms Relieved after Nine Months of Normal

Tests

9

A note from the Referring Physician

“Thank you for helping her. It

is reassuring to know that I

didn’t miss anything

important.”

10

The Symptoms are Real

They are NOT:

Due to Mental Illness or Mental Weakness Imaginary or Delusional An attempt to Deceive or Fake an Illness Self-Inflicted

11

Stress

Symptoms

The Same Process that produces aknot in your stomach when you feel tense or a blush when you are embarrassed.

12

Two Simple Concepts

Stress Causes Real Symptoms

Effective Treatment is Available

13

Stress Check-Up Part I

The Timing of the Symptoms

14

Stress Check-Up Part II

Stress in your life right now.

15

Stress Check-Up Part II - a

Insufficie

nt Personal

Time

16

Stress Check-Up Part III

Childhood Stress

17

Adverse Childhood Experience Study

Seven Factors Measured (n=18,000)

Abuse: 1. Physical 2. Sexual 3. Psychological

Household Occurrences: 4. Substance Abuse 5. Mental Illness

6. Domestic Violence 7. Householder

Imprisoned

18

4+ ACEs vs Zero ACEs

Odds Ratios

IV Drug Use 11.0Suicide Attempt 9.5Alcohol Abuse 5.3Domestic Violence 5.0Multiple Body Symptoms 2.7Emphysema 2.4Obesity 1.8

19

Childhood Stress. Low Self-Esteem Caused

By: Physical or sexual abuse

Parental drug abuse

Neglect Adult

responsibilities Witnessing

violence Lack of approval

20

Childhood Stress: Negative Outcomes

Bad Partners Addictions Quick Temper Eating Disorders Mental Health

Problems Self-mutilation Self-sacrifice Inability to feel

emotions

21

Childhood Stress: Positive Outcomes

Reliable Detail-

Oriented Compassionat

e Hard-Working

22

Childhood Stress Recovery: I

Deserve Better I Deserve more respect & support

To get as much as I give

“I am a great person who was born in a bad place.”

23

Childhood Stress Recovery: Rage

Often unexpressed due to:

Anger is unpleasant Many years learning

to suppress emotion Hope for

reconciliation