Stress personalities: Just who do you think you are?

"Life is about twenty percent in what happens to us and eighty percent in the way we respond to the events."

— Ted Engstrom

EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS unique. No two personalities are ever identical. Nor can anyone be 'clubbed' together for common traits. However...

It is extremely unlikely, that none of these ring a bell or touch a chord somewhere !

The silent sufferer

You are anxious. You may:

feel reluctant to discuss your problems with other people, in case you appear incompetent or ignorant.

work yourself into a state of nervousness, fear or panic.

You could bite the bullet and seek a sympathetic ear. Reassurance will transform your view of everything.

The obsessed one

You are easily upset. You may:

allow your problems to preoccupy you to the exclusion of everything else.

go over and over them until everybody is fed up with listening to you.

feel that your control of the daily routine is slipping because of your constant fretting.

develop compulsive behaviour patterns, such as repeatedly checking that gas and electrical appliances are turned off, windows are locked, etc.

Since you can't sort out which worry is worse than another, sit down and make a list in order of priority.

The clam

You are withdrawn. You may:

Avoid stress by detaching yourself from involvement with other people and events.

Create a fantasy world in which everything is rosy. Make a real effort to communicate with other people.

The victim

You are suspicious. You may:

believe that the world is filled with perils for you.

suspect other people of having malicious intentions.

blame others for your problems.

see any support or advice as a threat.

treat refusal as a personal rejection .

However difficult, try to trust people when they offer help. Make an effort to imagine yourself in other people's shoes and offer help in return.

The beanbag

You are placid and dependent. You may:

Let problems roll over you without attempting to deflect or resolve them.

When people offer advice, try to follow their suggestions. Better still, take the initiative instead of relying on ethers to bail you out.

The surly solo

You are aggressive and hostile. You may:

ignore other people's feelings and thus make situations worse.

oppose things because you don't know how else to react.

reject advice if you don't agree with it.

Unfortunately, you are not likely to pay attention to any suggestions, until some catastrophe has humbled you enough to heed.good advice.

Awareness, acceptance and an attitude that is positive, are the keys to freedom from stress and its related maladies.

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Antidepressants/Sleeping Aid