Causes of Stress

Fact or Fiction?

• "The rich and famous don't suffer from stress".
  Fiction: No one is immune to stress. Stress is found on the factory floor, in the classroom, in the office, at the kitchen sink, in the elderly, in the young - even on the catwalks and in the doctor's own home.
• "My age and my economic circumstances all mean I'll suffer stress more than anyone else".
  Fiction: Your age or economic group does not mean you will suffer lifestyle stress more than anyone else. If you view events negatively, you are more likely to succumb to stress-related illnesses. Think positive.
• "I'm the first born, so I'm bound to suffer from more stress".
  Fact: Recent research has shown that first born monkeys do tend to have higher levels of Cortisol - a chemical linked to stress. Although this can not be directly related to humans, it may well be true that the first born does suffer more.
• "Men have more stress than women".
  Fiction: This is totally untrue, studies have proved that women and men suffer from stress equally.
• "Only professional people are susceptible to stress".
  Fiction: Anyone can suffer from stress, regardless of profession. However, certain professions do tend to work longer hours and it is this, rather than mental pressure that is the root cause of the stress.