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College Students & Stress

College Students & Stress. Jenny Miller, Ph.D., LP CSB/SJU Counseling and Psychological Services. What is stress?. An automatic response of the body to a demand; different for each person. Two types of stress: Eustress Distress Yerkes-Dodson Law Holmes & Rahe research.

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College Students & Stress

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  1. College Students & Stress Jenny Miller, Ph.D., LP CSB/SJU Counseling and Psychological Services

  2. What is stress? • An automatic response of the body to a demand; different for each person. • Two types of stress: • Eustress • Distress • Yerkes-Dodson Law • Holmes & Rahe research

  3. Small group activity

  4. Other stressors • Family issues: divorce, affairs, GLBT issues, change of home or jobs • Finances: loss of loan, threats from parents to stop payment, car problems, job problems, gambling/AOD use • Relationships: rejection of friends, break-ups, acquaintance rape • Health: injury or illness, chronic diagnosis, health of family member • The future: ?????

  5. Other stressors, cont. • High school vs. college performance • Cultural, racial, religious, etc. differences in norms/values • Time constraints/juggling roles • Time management/procrastination • Grief/loss • Identity/self-esteem • Pre-existing or emerging mental health concerns • The Big Three (sleep, nutrition, exercise)

  6. Strengths of students • Resilience • Intelligence • Openness to experience • Ability to access established support networks and/or quickly enhance support system • Ability to find and utilize a mentor • Spiritual grounding and/or goal orientation • Self-awareness, self-care • Ability to multitask • Ability to let go of perfectionism

  7. Physical symptoms of stress • Heart palpitations • Headaches • Sweaty palms • GI distress • Skin outbreaks • Shortness of breath • Insomnia/hypersomnia • Sore, tight muscles • Loss of energy/fatigue • Change in work/school attendance, performance

  8. Emotional symptoms of stress • Moodiness/irritability • Depressed or anxious feelings • Loss of sense of humor • Abrasiveness or hostility toward others • Nervousness • Being overly sensitive/emotional • Withdrawal from others • Apathy

  9. Mental symptoms of stress • Forgetfulness • Loss of concentration/focus; selective attention • Displaying poor judgment • Being disorganized • Confusion, having fuzzy perception • Lack of interest • Errors in calculations • Negative self-talk, decrease in self-esteem • Thoughts of death or suicide

  10. How to handle stressed students • If a student approaches you: • Reinforce his/her decision to talk with someone • Acknowledge his/her distress • Be accepting, objective and nonjudgmental • Try to help student clarify his/her concerns • Refer to appropriate resources

  11. How to handle stressed students • If you are concerned about a student: • Assess level of relationship, your level of comfort and sense of responsibility • Find a private, “safe” place to talk undisturbed • Discuss your observations of any changes • Listen to the student’s response to your concerns, and clarify what you’ve heard • Gently but directly encourage him/her to seek additional resources for assistance; offer to help if willing/able

  12. Resources • CSB Counseling and Health Education (x5605) or SJU Personal and Professional Development Center (x3236) • Free and confidential • Emergency vs. normal referral • CSB Campus Security (x5000) or SJU Life Safety (x2144) • CSB Dean of Students, Jody Terhaar (x5601) or SJU Dean of Campus Life, Jason Laker (x3171)

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