Key Points Defining Stress Causes of Stress 3 Symptoms of Distress

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Section
3
Key Points
1
Defining Stress
2
Causes of Stress
3
Symptoms of Distress
4
Managing Stress
5
Depression
6
Suicide
INTRODUCTION TO
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Remember that the mind and body are one and that
psychological health is just as important as physical
health to your overall well-being.
Health Tips from Army Medicine
e
Personal Development T
rack
8420010_PD3_p086-093 8/26/08 11:26 AM Page 86

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Personal Development T
rack
Introduction
Stress is a fact of life, wherever you are and whatever you are doing. You cannot avoid
stress, but you can learn to manage it so it doesn’t manage you. 
Changes in our lives—such as going to college, getting married, changing jobs,
or illness—are frequent sources of stress. Keep in mind that changes that cause stress
can also benefit you. Moving away from home to attend college, for example, creates
personal-development opportunities—new challenges, friends, and living
arrangements. That is why it’s important to know yourself and carefully consider the
causes of stress. Learning to do this takes time, and although you cannot avoid stress,
the good news is that you can minimize the harmful effects of stress, such as
depression or hypertension. The key is to develop an awareness of how you interpret,
and react to, circumstances. This awareness will help you develop coping techniques
for managing stress. For example, as an Army platoon leader, managing stress will
require techniques that include an awareness of yourself and your Soldiers. 
As you will see, the stress you encounter as a student differs in intensity from
what you may experience in the Army, particularly while deployed or in combat. The
principles and techniques you use to manage stress are similar, however, as reported
by this second lieutenant after returning from the war in Afghanistan: