Generally stress can be divided into two categories:  Acute and Chronic

Acute stress is the most common form and is a result of demands and pressures of the recent past and near future.  In small doses, acute stress can feel thrilling and exciting, however, too much can result in exhaustion.  Intense short term stress can lead to physiological distress, headaches, stomach problems, and other issues.  It is highly treatable and manageable with brief solution focused intervention.

Episodic Acute Stress describes those who experience acute stress frequently, often due to disordered lives that create constant chaos and states of crisis.   Symptoms include being short-tempered, irritable, anxious and tense and is descriptive of what is commonly termed “Type A Personality”.  Symptomology includes frequent tension head aches, hypertension, chest pain, and heart disease.  Treating this level of stress often requires several months of intervention.  Lifestyle and personality issues will be examined to identify habitual sources of stress.

Chronic stress is grinding, wearing people down day after day.   It destroys one’s mind, body, and life.   Such stress is typically the product of dysfunctional families, being trapped in an unhappy marriage or relationship, or working in a job or career that is despised.  Most experiencing chronic stress do not have the ability to “see” a way out of their miserable situation.  It can also stem from trauma experienced at an earlier point in one’s life that continues to remain painful.  The most damaging effects of chronic stress are strokes, heart attacks, violence, and suicide.  Chronic stress may require extended professional intervention to include behavioral medication and stress management.